On Monday, just a day after the 2025 regular season concluded, the Cleveland Browns released a statement informing that they have parted ways with Kevin Stefanski, their former head coach.

Cleveland Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said that they were grateful to Stefanski in a press release.

“We have tremendous gratitude for Kevin’s leadership of the Cleveland Browns over the last six seasons. He is a good football coach and an even better person," said the owners.

"We appreciate all his hard work and dedication to our organization but our results over the last two seasons have not been satisfactory, and we believe a change at the head coaching position is necessary," they added.

Stefanski didn't have a lot to say when asked about the Browns' decision. However, he didn't seem to hold anything against the team. "I leave with an immense sense of gratitude," he said.

Kevin Stefanski joined the Browns in 2020 and, in his first season, led the team into the playoffs. It was their first playoff appearance since 2002, and they won for the first time in 26 years.

After Paul Brown had 12 wins in the team’s maiden year in 1946, Stefanski became the second coach to note the most wins in a coach’s first season with 11 wins.

However, the two-time AP Coach of the Year winner's last two seasons have been far from ideal. His team finished the 2024 season with a 3-14 record and ended the 2025-26 regular season with a 5-12 record. Meanwhile, the rumor that the Browns GM would meet the same fate didn't turn out to be true.

Browns GM Andrew Berry is here to stay

"Andrew Berry will continue to lead our football operations. The entirety of our focus is on building a team that brings our fans the success they long deserve," the Haslams said.

Berry joined the Browns with Stefanski six years ago, and experts and fans have also pointed the finger at the GM for the team's poor performance. In fact, Berry analysts had been calling out Berry long before the Browns' season devolved beyond saving.

"It’s not a good look when you aren’t going to do it in a year that you’re 2- 6 right now at the bye," analyst Mary Kay Cabot said in October 2025. The Browns beat report made this statement on the Orange and Brown Talk podcast after Berry decided to stay silent as the team racked up losses.

However, Andrew Berry has stood beside the now-former head coach. He even pointed out that Stefanski's rough years were due to factors beyond his control.

“We have great respect for Kevin, who has led our organization through both unique and challenging circumstances over his six seasons," said Berry.

"Most recently, Kevin’s steady hand led us through the most turbulent part of our strategic pivot and transitional period. Working with a young team and imperfect roster, he laid a foundation of professionalism," the Browns GM added.

While many had anticipated this move from the ownership, what's your take on the Cleveland Browns' call? Tell us in the comments.

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi