The Cleveland Browns have dismissed head coach Kevin Stefanski, a two-time recipient of the Coach of the Year award. This decision follows a period that included significant team roster changes, a playoff appearance in 2023, and an 8-26 win-loss record over the 2024 and 2025 NFL seasons. Concurrently, the organization is reportedly planning to introduce Personal Seat Licenses.
Coaching Change and Performance Review
Kevin Stefanski was dismissed from his position as head coach. Stefanski's tenure included guiding the team to a playoff appearance in 2023, with quarterback Joe Flacco joining the roster in November of that year. In 2020, he ended an 18-year playoff drought for the Browns and secured the re-established franchise's first postseason victory. His team posted an 8-26 win-loss record over the 2024 and 2025 NFL seasons.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport cited the team's overall record and Stefanski's instances of removing himself as the offensive play-caller as factors influencing the decision. The performance of quarterback Joe Flacco was also noted; after four starts with the Browns, Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, where his subsequent performance reportedly improved. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and the team's leadership noted this development. Notably, Flacco's performance during the 2023 season had been a factor in Stefanski receiving a contract extension in the summer of 2024.
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports reported that Stefanski had not supported the acquisition of quarterback Deshaun Watson. Stefanski is currently considered a candidate for head coach vacancies, including positions with the New York Giants and the Atlanta Falcons, and for offensive coordinator roles.
Deshaun Watson Acquisition and Impact
Approximately four years prior to the coaching change, the Browns acquired quarterback Deshaun Watson, a move that led to the departure of then-quarterback Baker Mayfield. Watson had previously missed an entire year of football and was facing over 20 civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct during massage-therapy sessions.
The Browns were one of four finalists for Watson, alongside the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons. After Watson initially excluded the Browns, the team reportedly offered a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract, leading to his acquisition. This trade involved shipping multiple draft picks, reportedly three first-round and two third-round selections, to the Houston Texans. Owner Jimmy Haslam stated that the trade "deplete[d] your ability to raise the roster," acknowledging its impact.
The specific individual within the organization who initiated the pursuit of Watson has not been publicly identified, with potential figures including Stefanski, General Manager Andrew Berry, former Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta, or owner Jimmy Haslam. During Stefanski's recent seasons, the Browns' quarterback situation included multiple players, such as Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Bailey Zappe, Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders.
Financial Initiatives
The Browns organization is reportedly planning to introduce Personal Seat Licenses (PSLs). Anticipated prices for these licenses are expected to range from $550 to $193,650 per seat. Initial reactions to a survey regarding these PSLs have been reported as negative.
Related Player Commentary
An exchange occurred involving D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and NFL quarterback Baker Mayfield. Ledbetter's tweet referred to Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski's previous quarterbacks in Cleveland, Baker Mayfield and Deshaun Watson, stating they "failed." Mayfield replied to the statement, calling the term "failed" a "reach." He also referenced not receiving communication from Stefanski after his trade from the Browns.
Mayfield led the Browns to the postseason in 2020, where they reached the divisional round. In 2021, Mayfield played with injuries, and the team did not make the playoffs. The Browns traded Mayfield to the Panthers in early 2022 after acquiring Deshaun Watson. Mayfield's subsequent three seasons with the Buccaneers have showcased his performance as a quarterback.