On December 18th, NFL insider Josina Anderson reported on X that teams have shown interest in the Super Bowl-winning coach.

With ever-increasing reports that Kevin Stefanski himself may be planning to leave or be fired from the Cleveland Browns, a name from the past has resurfaced as a potential replacement: Bill Belichick.

"I'm told there's been recent interest expressed, at the very least, in speaking with Bill Belichick on a exploratory basis from two teams, per league source."

While her source named no teams, Anderson, citing her understanding, wrote, "Belichick has upper-level personnel still fond of him in Atlanta, New York, Cleveland, whilst all struggling teams going through customary evaluations this time of year." Belichick needs no introduction to the Browns.

He served as the head coach of the Browns from 1991 to 1995. Thereafter, his best came in the next 24 years as HC of the Patriots, where he accumulated six Super Bowls. He received three AP NFL Coach of the Year awards and a record 31 playoff games.

He came back in 2024 after a one-year hiatus in 2023, and finished 2-6 in ACC play with North Carolina, and closed the season on a three-game losing streak.

Now, the Titans and Giants both have head coach openings. But there is one big reason why the Cleveland Browns might want to bring in Bill Belichick in place of Kevin Stefanski.

Tom Brady mentored the Browns' latest sensation and QB Shedeur Sanders in his college days. And let's not forget who trained the GOAT. The Brady–Belichick era dominated the league for 9 seasons, recording the league’s only undefeated 16-game regular season.

So if the Browns choose Sanders as their QB1 next season, they might also want to bring in his mentor. But that would only be the case if Kevin Stefanski leaves or the team fires him.

Is this the last season with the Browns for Kevin Stefanski?

Kevin Stefanski did show results in his early days with the Browns. He took the Browns to their first playoff appearance since 2002 in the 2020–21 season immediately after the team hired him in 2020 on a 5-year contract.

He did it again in 2023 and earned a contract extension, but after that performance has declined. For the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Stefanski is a combined 6-25-0 and now there's no clarity on his job.

NFL Insiders have reported that the owners might not want to continue with him next season. Many reports have also said he wants to go away, though there is no official statement from anyone.

But Stefanski has neither said that he will be there in 2026. “I’m not going to get in those type of things. Not my focus,” He said when a reporter inquired about the same.

What is your opinion on the same? Do you have any other names on your mind? Share with us in the comments below!

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Joyita Das