Big Blue View
The New York Giants are widely expected to cast a wide net as they search for their next head coach. It’s also generally accepted that this coaching cycle doesn’t have a “slam dunk” coaching candidate like Mike Vrabel returning to the New England Patriots or Ben Johnson waiting on the Chicago Bears.
That, however, could change after Week 18.
Reports are piling up that the Clevland Browns are likely to move on from head coach Kevin Stefanski.
The latest, and most strongly worded, report comes from NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Schultz writes that sources around the NFL believe that Stefanski is likely to be let go at the end of the season.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported earlier on Saturday that, while no final decisions have been made, the Browns are looking at potential head coaching candidates and are leaning toward moving on from Stefanski. Russini writes,
The Cleveland Browns have done some background work to gather information on potential head-coaching options, and are leaning toward moving on from two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski. With the success of EVP and general manager Andrew Berry’s most recent draft, he’s likely to stay, but those discussions are ongoing heading into Cleveland’s final game at the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. The Browns are 4-12 after finishing 3-14 in 2024.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler was the first to report that the Browns are doing “preliminary research” on potential coaching candidates. He also added that Stefanski is very highly regarded and is likely the strongest potential candidate in this year’s coaching cycle, as well as the belief that the Giants would be an “ideal fit” for Stefanski.
Jared Mueller of Dawgs By Nature also believes that the Browns and Stefanski are headed for a “mutual split”, and adds that he believes Stefanski is a “great coach”.
The last two year’s of Stefanski’s tenure haven’t been great by any measure. That, however, likely has more to do with meddlesome ownership who bailed on Baker Mayfield and executed one of the worst trades in NFL history for DeShaun Waton.
That said, Stefanski did get off to a strong start as the Browns head coach. He had two 11-win seasons in his first two years (going 8-9 and 7-10 in between), and having to field five different starting quarterbacks en route to his 11-win 2023 season.
As a coach, Stefanski has a hugely varied background. He was a long time assisstant for the Minnesota Vikings who coached tight ends, running backs, and quarterbacks under both Brad Childress and Mike Zimmer. He’s been exposed to a huge variety of offensive philosophies over the course of his career:
Stefanski’s offenses typically feature a highly-varied rushing attack, two (or three) tight end...
