Tensions are rising in Cleveland, and things are getting personal. Tom Brady's former teammate, Leonard Fournette, didn’t hold back while calling out Kevin Stefanski, who was the Browns' head coach from 2020 to 2025.

While speaking to Jarvis Landry on the second episode of Fourth & South (published March 18), former running back Leonard Fournette bashed Stefanski on his ways of handling rookie QB Shedeur Sanders. 

“That s*** [situation with Stefanski] bothers me. The s*** he had going on with Shedeur. If you have a guy there who could be your franchise maker, that can change the organization… And I’m not sure why [Stefanski] didn’t want to play him. But I got a problem with coaches like that,” Fournette said.

Fournette, who last played for the Buffalo Bills in 2023, was highly displeased with former Browns head coach Stefanski for not giving Sanders adequate game time. He considered the rookie quarterback as the future of the organization. 

Kevin Stefanski started his career with the Minnesota Vikings and has filled various offensive coordinator roles before joining the Browns in 2020. He coached the Cleveland team for six years before his release on January 05, 2026. 

“To me, his resume is not good at all. I’m just being real. And he gets another shot at coaching. Guys like me and you, with great resumes, didn’t get another shot… He is one of those coaches I don’t ever want to play for,” Fournette continued. 

According to Pro Football Reference, under his guidance, the Browns have played 101 games, with 45 wins and 56 losses, and a win-loss percentage of 0.446. 

Clearly, the stats are the reasons for which he was fired. 

“Ownership takes full responsibility for where we are," Jimmy Haslem said. “To win eight games in two years is horrible. It’s totally unacceptable, OK. And it’s not going to continue, OK. I want the fans to know we are as frustrated as you are.” Jimmy said upon firing Kevin. 

Following the sentiments of the former Pro Bowl, the host Jarvis Landry further added to Fournette’s words. Landry played under Stefanski as a wide receiver for two years, from 2020 to 2021.

"Being in Cleveland and playing there, he was cool to be around. But it almost felt like, as much as he knew what he was doing, maybe he didn’t. For some reason, it felt like the spark and connection between the coaches and players started to dim out," said Landry candidly.

After the Browns ended the 2025 season at the bottom of the division with a 5-12 record, they appointed Todd Monken as the new head coach on January 28 this year.

What Kevin Stefanski's Replacement Did Better Than Him?

With pressure mounting following the release of Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland hired their former offensive coordinator, Todd Monken, as head coach. 

Previously, GM Andrew Berry had reiterated the team's intent while appointing the position, stating, “Everything that we do is with the idea of bringing a perennial winner to Cleveland… This decision falls in that bucket as well.”

Unlike Stefanski, Monken has been staying connected with key players like Shedeur Sanders and Joel Bitonio. In a now-viral video of their first meeting, Monken was seen smiling with Sanders.

In his final address after he was fired as Browns head coach, Stefanski said, “When I arrived in January of 2020, this organization… embraced me and my family with open arms… A sincere ‘Thank You’ to everyone…” 

Do you think replacing Kevin Stefanski is the right move for the Browns' long-term success? Share your take in the comments.

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Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker

Edited by

Sayantan Gayen