The Cleveland Browns are staring down the barrel of another long, frustrating offseason, and the noise around head coach Kevin Stefanski’s future is only getting louder. After back-to-back seasons marked by quarterback instability and offensive struggles, it’s fair to wonder if the Stefanski era is nearing its end in Cleveland.
But as with most things in the NFL, it’s not a simple decision.
Let’s start with the facts: Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry signed contract extensions in June 2024, fresh off an 11-win campaign that saw Joe Flacco come off the couch and lead the Browns to the playoffs. It was a feel-good story that earned the regime some breathing room. That goodwill faded fast.
Fast forward to this season, and the Browns are once again stuck in neutral-or worse. Heading into Week 14 against the Titans, Cleveland ranks dead last in yards per play and sits 29th in scoring.
The offense has regressed significantly, and the quarterback carousel has spun out of control. Deshaun Watson hasn’t played since Week 7 of 2024, and the rookies behind him have looked every bit like, well, rookies.
Add in an aging offensive line and a receiving corps that lacks punch, and it’s no wonder this group can’t move the ball.
The defense has had its moments, and the 2025 rookie class has shown promise, but the overall picture is bleak. Stefanski’s record over the past two seasons is 6-23. That’s tough to defend, no matter how you slice it, especially with a brutal closing stretch that includes games against Chicago, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati.
If this is the end for Stefanski in Cleveland-and right now, it’s trending that way-the Browns will need to make a bold move. And there’s one name that should be at the top of their list: Brian Flores.
Flores has been waiting for another shot at a head coaching gig, and the timing might finally be right. He interviewed with the Browns back in 2019 before landing with the Dolphins, where he posted back-to-back winning seasons before things unraveled due to internal dysfunction and a fractured relationship with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Flores was let go after a 9-8 season in 2021, and while the ending in Miami wasn’t pretty, his coaching chops have never been in question.
After a one-year stint as a defensive assistant in Pittsburgh, Flores took over as defensive coordinator in Minnesota in 2023. Since then, he’s transformed the Vikings’ defense into one of the league’s most disruptive units.
Despite a 4-8 record, Minnesota ranks 10th in EPA per play-an impressive feat considering the team’s overall struggles. Flores' defenses don’t just play hard-they create chaos.
That kind of edge would play well in Cleveland, especially with a defensive core that already has talent.
Of course, there’s more to consider. Flores is still in the middle of a lawsuit against the NFL alleging racial discrimination in hiring practices.
The Browns aren’t named in the suit, and it hasn’t stopped other teams from bringing Flores in for interviews-he spoke with the Jets, Bears, and Jaguars during last year’s hiring cycle. He’s also taken accountability for his role in the Miami fallout, and he’s made it clear he’s ready for another shot.
Now 44, Flores brings a wealth of experience from working under Bill Belichick, Mike Tomlin, and Kevin O’Connell. He’s intense, detail-oriented, and unafraid to challenge his players. That kind of leadership could be exactly what the Browns need to reset the culture.
The big question, of course, is the offense. Flores isn’t known for his offensive acumen, and Cleveland’s problems on that side of the ball are deep-rooted.
If he’s going to be the guy, he’ll need a clear and compelling plan for how to build out his offensive staff and-most importantly-how to fix the quarterback situation. Because until that gets sorted, nothing else really matters.
Still, there’s a pattern in the NFL: when teams move on from an offensive-minded head coach, they often pivot to a defensive voice. And if the Browns go that route, Flores stands out as a compelling candidate.
He’s battle-tested, respected in league circles, and ready for another shot. Cleveland might just be the right place, at the right time.
If the Browns do decide to make a change, Flores should be at the top of their list.