Dawgs By Nature
The NFL closes out the 2025 regular season this weekend, which means we are just days away from what is commonly referred to as “Black Monday” across the league.
That designation refers to the day after the last game when teams decide the time is right to make a change at head coach, general manager, or sometimes both. It is a day that can bring a sense of relief for fans tired of seeing their favorite team bungle another season, or a sense of “here we go again” for those exhausted by the prospect of yet another rebuild.
The Cleveland Browns used to be frequent participants as they cycled through head coaches and general managers so frequently that it was hard to keep track of everyone. Did Rob Chudzinski actually coach the Browns, or was that just a fevered dream? Has anyone checked to see if George Kokinis is still locked in an office in Berea, or did someone remember to let him out?
The franchise mercifully got off that trend in 2020 with the hiring of head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry. A pair of playoff appearances soon followed, along with far too much quarterback drama thanks to the trade for Deshaun Watson and the drafting of Shedeur Sanders.
Now, after six seasons in charge and with the franchise heading into its latest “most important offseason,” are the winds of change about to blow through Berea once again?
No one knows what is going through the mind of owner Jimmy Haslam when he is not otherwise occupied with the details of the new stadium in Brook Park, but that has not stopped the rumors stacked on top of innuendos and tied up with “senses” about what will happen come Monday morning, especially as it relates to Stefanski.
So what do people think will happen? Let’s take a quick rundown of some of the latest musings.
Terry Pluto, who is as tied in to the front offices of Cleveland’s sports teams as anyone, believes the end is here for Stefanski, but not for Berry:
Yes, I believe Stefanski will be fired. I don’t know that for a fact. With the Browns, things can always change – but I’d be shocked if Stefanski comes back. My prediction is Andrew Berry remains as GM and runs the 2026 draft. Stefanski ends up coaching somewhere else next season.
Dianna Russini at The Athletic is of a similar mindset about Stefanski, but Berry may not be as safe as some might believe:
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.
Albert Breer and Conor Orr at...
