After back-to-back seasons of abysmal performance, the Cleveland Browns parted ways with former head coach Kevin Stefanski. Now, a former Browns player is here to reveal everything that went sour.

In the second episode of his podcast, 4th and South with Leonard Fournette (published March 18), former wide receiver Jarvis Landry did not hold back on his criticism of Stefanski.

“In the beginning, man, it was great. He, winnin’ a Coach of the Year, we ended up going to the playoffs. And then, for some reason, then after bro, it just kind of felt like the spark between, the connection between the players and the coach just kind of started to dim out,” Landry said. 

Hired in 2020, Stefanski took over a team that had immense potential but hadn’t made a playoff appearance since 2002. But with his offensive strategies and a solid defence, the Browns made it to the playoffs in his debut year. 

They ended the season with an 11-5 record and maintained a decent one until 2023. In that season, they once again appeared in the playoffs and had an 11-5 record.

Stefanski won two Coach of the Year awards, once in 2020 and another in 2023. Star defensive end Myles Garrett won his first DPoY award in 2025, while Stefanski was still at the Browns.

However, the 2024 and 2025 seasons were not kind to Stefanski. He lost every momentum he had built with the team, registering a 3-14 and 5-12 win-loss record. The Browns eventually went with a new head coach, Todd Monken, earlier this year.

But if there was one year that indicated Stefanski's downfall, it was 2023.

2023 Was the Beginning of the End for Stefanski’s Success With the Browns

Landry, who retired in 2021, elaborated on how the Stefasanski could not replicate his former success.

As a relatively young coach, he was expected to keep the franchise afloat, but the 2024 season reached an all-time low with a 3-14 record.

The franchise had parted with quarterback Joe Flacco and soon fell into one of the most frustrating QB shuffles in recent NFL history. 

“You expect most of these coaches that are younger to be more personable, more relatable with their players, and in most cases, it just doesn’t work out that way,” Landry added.

Moreover, the former running back opined that Stefanski does not have an impressive resume (his Browns record is 45-56) and was offered another job solely because of his awards.

Fournette also said that players don’t get a second chance, Landry didn’t, and he does not like Stefanski. 

“Only thing he got going for him is two-time Coach of the Year. He's not able to get it done as a playcaller and putting it off on somebody else.”

Landry is not the only former Browns player who has issues with Stefanski. Flacco has a list. But there is a lesson for the team and their new head coach, Todd Monken, here. But will they learn it? Tell us your thoughts on this take.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Sayantan Gayen