The Cleveland Browns have fired head coach Kevin Stefanski. In doing so, they may have provided the New York Giants with the top candidate in their own coaching search.
Rumors have been swirling for days that Stefanski could be fired, with reports coming in from ESPN, The Athletic, the NFL Network, and NBC Sports. It’s widely anticipated that he will immediately top every team’s list of available candidates and has already been called an “ideal candidate” for the Giants’ opening.
Stefanski’s tenure as the Browns coach has come to an end after six temultuous years. The two-time Coach Of The Year finished the 2025 season with two strait wins over division rivals in the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, but that wasn’t enough to save his job. Likewise, he received vocal support from the locker room after the final game, but that wasn’t enough to sway ownership.
Stefanski started his tenure with two 11-win seasons in four years, each earning him Coach Of The Year Honors. However, his team finished with 3-14 and 5-12 records over the last two years. That finish is something he’ll have to answer for in interviews, but there’s a good argument that the Deshaun Watson trade forced by Browns ownership hamstrung Stefanski.
The Browns ownership and front office sunk significant resources into dumping Baker Mayfield after his shoulder injury and acquiring Watson. Not only did they give him a historic $230 million contract (all guaranteed), but they sent significant draft compensation to the Houston Texans, including three (3) first round picks.
- Cleveland’s first-round pick in 2022 (13th)
- Cleveland’s fourth-round pick in 2022 (104th)
- Cleveland’s first-round pick in 2023 (12th)
- Cleveland’s third-round pick in 2023 (73rd)
- Cleveland’s first-round pick in 2024 (23rd)
- Cleveland’s fourth-round pick in 2024 (123rd)
Going three years without a first round pick as well as a major drain on cap dollars prevented the Browns from building their roster. Stefanski was also forced to play a huge number of quarterbacks as Watson was rarely available due to the sexual assault allegations against him as well as persistent injuries.
The break represents a fresh start for both Stefanski and the Browns, as well as a potential opportunity for the Giants.
Stay with Big Blue View for more as it develops.
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