After a dominant 24-10 showing against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12, things looked great early on too. Shedeur Sanders hit a beautiful 34-yard TD early to put Cleveland up 8-7, but that would be the last good thing to happen for the Browns against the 49ers. Costly turnovers, special-teams blunders, and two failed fourth-and-one calls from Kevin Stefanski led to a 26-8 blowout loss.

With just three wins and thier 9th loss, the frustration boiled over. Browns insider Tony Rizzo went off on the team and especially thier coach after the loss. He picked apart the plays that sealed the Browns' fate, especially highlighting Kevin Stefanski's call that led to a fumble, and the 49ers taking full advantage of the mistake.

Stefanski called a direct snap to rookie TE Harold Fannin Jr. Unfortunately, he fumbled, the 49ers recovered, and they scored a touchdown on the next drive. “I hope the Browns coaches sealed their fate yesterday. It’s 10-8 in the third quarter, 4th and 1, your own 33, you are going to go for it and have your tight end (direct snap it) and fumbles,” Rizzo said on ESPN Cleveland on Monday. 

“How in the hell does Stefanski have a job?” he added. “Last two seasons, he’s 6-23. Oh my God. 23 Mondays that I have to come in here... I’m done with everybody," Rizzo said. While Stefanski’s contract was supposed to end last year, he signed a multi-year extension deal, and it wasn't completely without merit.

He became the first Browns coach in decades to post multiple winning seasons, going 11–5 in 2020 and 11-6 in 2023. In his debut year, he also ended Cleveland’s long drought by reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and earning the team’s first playoff win in over 25 years. However, despite those highs, his overall record as of the 2025 season sits at 43–53 (.448). However, Kevin Stefanski isn't taking flak on his call alone. 

Kevin Stefanski Has a Lot of Heat on His Back

Sanders, making just his second career start, came into the 49ers game after a strong Week 12 performance against the Raiders. Midway through the game, he was 10-of-16 for 108 yards and a touchdown, a solid performance given the Browns’ rough season. But fans grew frustrated that Stefanski wasn’t letting him throw more.

Social media lit up with complaints like, “They’re gonna lose this way. They’re taking the ball out of the QB’s hands.” Many argued the play-calling showed a lack of trust in Sanders, especially since he hadn’t taken any first-team reps before Gabriel’s concussion. Even Cam Newton has not spared him. 

Criticing the coach, he said, “I don’t think Kevin Stefanski wants Shedeur Sanders to succeed… I’m going off actions, not words.” He argued that the situation around Sanders was unfair, pointing out that young quarterbacks need consistent first-team practice, something Sanders never got, even after being drafted. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi