The Cleveland Browns’ decision to retain Kevin Stefanski as head coach for the 2025 season will undoubtedly draw scrutiny, especially given the team’s persistent struggles with discipline and preparation. Leading the NFL in pre-snap penalties for two consecutive seasons is a glaring issue that reflects poorly on coaching, regardless of the players’ individual mistakes.
Why Stefanski Should Be on the Hot Seat
1. Pre-Snap Penalties
Pre-snap penalties indicate a lack of focus and discipline, issues that are squarely within a coach’s control. A team leading the league in this category for two straight years points to systemic problems, either in practice habits or the coach’s ability to instill accountability.
2. Preparation and Execution
The head coach’s primary responsibility is ensuring the team is ready to compete every week. If the Browns consistently appear unprepared, it reflects a failure in leadership. While Stefanski has shown competency as a play-caller, his ability to oversee the full scope of team readiness is under question.
3. Lack of Accountability
Players need to perform better, but if certain issues persist without noticeable improvement, the onus falls on the head coach. It’s a red flag if players aren’t responding to coaching or adapting to expectations.
Ownership’s Role and the Future
While Browns ownership appears committed to Stefanski for now, it’s fair to assume their patience could wear thin if these trends continue. A poor start to the 2025 season could force a reevaluation, especially with a roster that has significant talent on both sides of the ball.
In many cases, ownership’s unwillingness to make immediate changes stems from a desire for stability. However, stability is only beneficial when the organization is progressing. If the Browns stumble again in 2025, ownership may have no choice but to initiate changes at the top.
Final Thoughts
Kevin Stefanski’s tenure as Browns head coach has seen moments of promise, but persistent issues like pre-snap penalties and team preparation raise serious concerns. Retaining him for 2025 might provide an opportunity to right the ship, but it should come with clear expectations and a short leash. Without measurable improvement, the Browns risk wasting their talented roster and falling further behind in a competitive AFC North.
