Browns hot seat? Kevin Stefanski, Andrew Berry not in same place as Giants brass

Joe Schoen, Brian Daboll on far hotter seats than the Browns GM, HC duo

Last season went about as poorly as it did for the Cleveland Browns. Very few would’ve predicted the team would win three games after they won 10 the previous season, but it happened. Many fans believed that head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry should have been fired for how the season transpired, but instead, the two were retained.

After signing what has been reported to be five-year extensions that start this year, what Jimmy Haslam has communicated to his top decision-makers is crucial.

Some of the fanbase believes that this year is a make-or-break for these two in the upcoming season. Field Yates, an ESPN NFL correspondent, gave this intriguing take regarding Stefanski’s job security when asked about what the potential draft plans could be for both the New York Giants and Browns:

What Yates said was right. It’s controversial to a lot of fans, but it shouldn’t be. The 2025 season shouldn’t be a make-or-break year for Stefanski and Berry. Why?

• Is the 2024 season the be-all end-all in putting them on the hot seat?
• Why would they take a rookie quarterback and place all of this pressure on him, knowing his coach could be fired?
• Would they have made more moves already in free agency/trades if they thought they were on the hot seat?

Does Cleveland need to show signs of progress after last year? Yes. However, when you are trying to keep your job, you will show signs of desperation. Desperation leads to bad decision making and bad decision making can lead to you losing your job.

Haslam has given Berry and Stefanski endorsements the past two years. It means he trusts those two to figure things out to get the Browns back on track. The Berry/Stefanski era hasn’t been a disaster. The team made the playoffs twice in 4 years, with a playoff win in 2020.

Some will scoff at that, but compare that to the New York Jets, who have had a below average .500 record the past 4 years and underwent another regime change. You see which team is more competent and stable.

Cleveland doesn’t have to force a quarterback with the second overall pick. Why? That’s what desperate teams do in situations like this. The Giants are more desperate than the Browns.

Fans are tired of being patient with this team (which is understandable) but firing and hiring front offices and coaches will not fix anything. Instead, it creates more problems that aren’t needed. The Browns have a plan; whether you want to believe in it or not is up to you. It might not be the plan you agree with, but it’s clear that Cleveland ownership has faith in the general manager and head coach to figure things out.