Browns Spiral Continues as Stefanski Faces Mounting Pressure
The Cleveland Browns’ 2025 season has officially entered freefall territory. Sunday’s 31-3 blowout loss to the Chicago Bears wasn’t just another tally in the loss column - it was a gut punch that underscored just how far this team has fallen. Now sitting at 3-11, the Browns are staring down the barrel of a lost season, and head coach Kevin Stefanski is squarely in the crosshairs.
Frustration is boiling over in Cleveland, and it’s not just among the fan base. Local voices - like ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Rizzo - are turning up the heat, echoing what many in the Dawg Pound have been shouting for weeks.
“HOW DOES THIS GUY HAVE A JOB THIS MORNING???” Rizzo exclaimed on-air. It’s a sentiment that’s gaining traction as the Browns continue to stumble through a season that began with hope and is ending in disarray.
A Team Without Direction
The loss to Chicago wasn’t just lopsided - it was lifeless. And that’s what’s really fueling the outrage. The Browns didn’t just lose; they looked unprepared, uninspired, and, frankly, overwhelmed.
Much of the criticism centers on the offense, which has lacked rhythm, identity, and consistency all year. Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is the latest to take the reins, but the results haven’t improved.
The offense has sputtered with him under center, just as it did with Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel earlier in the season. That revolving door at quarterback has turned what should’ve been a developmental year into a chaotic mess.
There’s real concern that the Browns may not win another game, with the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cincinnati Bengals still looming on the schedule. That’s a brutal stretch for any team, let alone one that’s struggling to move the ball and keep opponents out of the end zone.
Stefanski’s Seat Gets Hotter
Kevin Stefanski isn’t new to pressure in Cleveland - but this feels different. This isn’t just about a bad season.
It’s about a pattern of inconsistency, quarterback instability, and missed opportunities. Even with two Coach of the Year awards and a playoff win that snapped a 25-year drought, the goodwill is fading fast.
When asked directly about his job status after Sunday’s loss, Stefanski kept it short and focused on the week ahead.
“I’m not gonna get into those types of things,” he told The Athletic. “My focus, our focus, is solely on the Buffalo Bills.”
That’s the right answer in a media scrum, but behind the scenes, there’s no doubt the pressure is mounting. In 98 games as Browns head coach, Stefanski holds a 43-55 record.
The highs - including two 11-win seasons - are undeniable. But so are the lows, and this season is shaping up to be the lowest yet.
What’s Next for Cleveland?
The Browns are now in evaluation mode, whether they want to admit it or not. With playoff hopes long gone, the final few games will be less about wins and more about figuring out who - and what - is worth building around.
That starts with Sanders. Despite the struggles, the rookie quarterback needs reps and a stable environment to grow.
Right now, he’s not getting either. And that’s a reflection on the coaching staff as much as it is on the roster.
Stefanski’s future in Cleveland may hinge on more than just the final score of the next few games. It’s about whether this team shows fight, direction, and some semblance of a plan. Because right now, the Browns look like a team adrift - and the calls for change are only getting louder.
The Browns faithful have seen their share of tough seasons. But what makes this one sting is that it wasn’t supposed to be like this. Not again.