Kevin Stefanski may be the most successful coach the Cleveland Browns have had since their 1999 return. He’s brought them back to the playoffs—something fans hadn’t seen since Marty Schottenheimer’s era. But after a brutal 3-14 finish in 2024, not everyone’s giving him a pass.
On Tuesday’s episode of the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show, radio host Garrett Bush didn’t hold back when talking about Stefanski’s biggest shortcoming.
“Kevin Stefanski ain’t developed nobody. Baker Mayfield is playing the best he’s ever played, not under you. You were on record saying you wanted Deshaun Watson; he was not that good,” Bush said.
It’s a heavy statement, but not without context. In 2020, Stefanski led the Browns to an 11-5 season and a playoff win—something the team hadn’t done since 1994. But things took a turn after that. Mayfield struggled through injuries the following year, and the Browns slipped to 6-11.
Then came the controversial move: Cleveland traded for Deshaun Watson, despite ongoing sexual misconduct allegations. The team reportedly wanted an “adult in the room”—a shot, many believed, at Mayfield’s leadership. But while Mayfield has since revived his career elsewhere, Watson hasn’t lived up to the hype.
“He can succeed if given even adequate offensive tools”: Dalton Wasserman believes offense can turn things around for Kevin Stefanski and the Browns
Heading into the new season, Kevin Stefanski and the Cleveland Browns are hoping a retooled offense can help turn things around. Nick Chubb is out, but they brought in Diontae Johnson to pair with Jerry Jeudy. On defense, they’re still solid with Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward holding it down.
Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus still believes in Stefanski’s upside. He recently ranked him tenth among returning head coaches, pointing to how he’s managed tough situations in the past.
“Stefanski has proven he can succeed if given even adequate offensive tools. The team just needs to provide him with that to complement its excellent defense,” Wasserman said.
The Browns will open their season on September 7 at 1 p.m. ET, hosting the Cincinnati Bengals on FOX. Stefanski’s got the spotlight again—this time with even more pressure to prove he’s still the right guy for the job.
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