Report: 'No Plans' for Kevin Stefanski Firing as Browns HC; Staff Changes Possible

Kevin Stefanski is reportedly expected to return for a sixth season as head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 2025.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, the Browns have "no plans" to fire Stefanski despite their 3-12 record this season on the heels of going 11-6 and reaching the playoffs last season.

Stefanski was named NFL Coach of the Year in both 2020 and 2023, making him one of only 11 coaches in league history to win the award multiple times.

Last season, the Browns were able to overcome several key injuries and got strong play out of veteran backup quarterback Joe Flacco to reach the playoffs, but a repeat performance was not in the cards this season.

Much like in 2023, starting quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending injury in 2024, as he tore his Achilles in October.

Cleveland has also been without running back Nick Chubb, offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and cornerback Greg Newsome for extended periods of time.

Getting healthy could go a long way toward getting the Browns back on track next season, but quarterback may continue to be an issue for the franchise.

The blockbuster acquisition of Watson from the Houston Texans has proved disastrous thus far, as he has struggled even when healthy. Watson is 9-10 in 19 starts over three seasons in Cleveland, and he has completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Cleveland's decision to give Watson a fully-guaranteed, five-year, $230 million contract after trading for him makes it difficult to cut ties with him.

As a result, the Browns restructured Watson's contract this week in an effort to give themselves some salary cap relief down the line, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi.

However, by reworking Watson's deal, it essentially guarantees that he will be on the Browns' roster in 2025.

Pelissero and Rapoport noted that the Browns are expected to bring in some competition for Watson either through the draft or in free agency, though, which means Watson is not guaranteed to start in 2025 coming off a torn Achilles.

Figuring out the quarterback situation could go a long way toward securing Stefanski's future, and given that Cleveland is currently in line to pick fifth overall in the 2025 NFL draft, it is a possibility that the Browns could land Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders or Miami quarterback Cam Ward.

If the Browns go into 2025 expecting Watson to be the answer at quarterback, though, it is fair to wonder if Stefanski's job will be in jeopardy.

Although he has two NFL Coach of the Year awards to his credit, he has reached the playoffs only twice in five seasons as the Browns' head coach and has just one playoff win to show for it.