As the NFL regular season barrels toward its final stretch, the coaching carousel is starting to spin - and in Cleveland, the uncertainty is turning up the heat.
At least two teams, the Titans and Giants, have already made midseason coaching changes, and more could be on the way. The Raiders are still weighing their options, and there’s growing speculation that 74-year-old Pete Carroll could be nearing the end of his run in Seattle. But in Cleveland, the future of head coach Kevin Stefanski remains very much in limbo.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has yet to make a decision on Stefanski’s future as of Week 16. And while silence isn’t necessarily a death knell, it’s not exactly a vote of confidence either - especially as the Browns limp toward the finish line in the midst of yet another three-win season.
There’s no shortage of frustration in Cleveland. Fans are restless, and after six years of Stefanski at the helm, many are calling for a change. The Browns have made just three playoff appearances under his watch, and the overall record - now 44-57 - doesn’t do him any favors.
But the situation is more layered than just wins and losses. Stefanski’s tenure has been marked by a revolving door at quarterback, and Rapoport made a point to highlight that context.
“He really has been hampered by quarterback issues,” Rapoport said during NFL GameDay. “This is someone who’s been a two-time Coach of the Year, and if he was available, he’d be one of the top candidates out there.”
Still, the numbers are what they are: 6-25 over the past two seasons. That’s a tough pill to swallow, even with the quarterback chaos.
And with the Browns still searching for a long-term answer under center - not just for next season, but for the next decade - the pressure is mounting. Cleveland holds two first-round picks in the 2026 draft, and all eyes will be on how the front office chooses to use them.
One key piece of the puzzle is shifting: Paul DePodesta, the team’s chief strategy officer and longtime architect behind the scenes, is headed back to Major League Baseball to join the Colorado Rockies. That leaves general manager Andrew Berry in a more prominent role when it comes to shaping the team’s future - including the decision on Stefanski.
Berry’s job appears to be safe, bolstered by a strong 2025 draft class. But his handling of the quarterback position after Deshaun Watson’s Achilles re-rupture raised plenty of eyebrows.
The patchwork approach didn’t just fail - it bordered on the absurd at times. Combine that with a depleted offensive line, a thin receiver group, and a special teams unit that’s been among the league’s worst, and it’s clear there’s plenty of work to be done.
If there’s a shakeup coming, special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone could be the first domino to fall. On the offensive side, the Browns are reportedly high on young coordinator Tommy Rees, and the defense remains a bright spot under veteran coordinator Jim Schwartz.
So what does “some change” actually mean in Cleveland? That phrase, used by Rapoport, is doing a lot of heavy lifting.
If ownership isn’t ready to move on from Stefanski, a more targeted reshuffling - like promoting Schwartz or retooling the staff around Stefanski - could be the compromise. But that’s a delicate balance, and one that may not satisfy a fanbase that’s clearly grown tired of waiting.
For now, the Browns are stuck in limbo. The front office is evaluating.
Stefanski’s fate is undecided. And the fans?
They’re left watching, waiting, and wondering if the winds of change will finally blow through Cleveland - or if they’re in for another offseason of more questions than answers.