Is Firing Kevin Stefanski would be the wrong move

I can’t believe I’m writing this.

Except I can.

I’m reluctant to give the topic more oxygen but realize it already has a life of its own.

So here goes.

Kevin Stefanski shouldn’t be fired. Now or after the season.

Second straight season ends with surgery for Dawand Jones; Jedrick Wills Jr.’s status for Thursday night uncertain

For those with really short memories, he led the Browns to 11 wins and a playoff appearance in 2023 despite having to use four starting quarterbacks. I know the award isn’t perfect, but he was voted NFL Coach of the Year.

The 11 wins, playoff appearance and award were duplicates of 2020.

The Browns have four winning seasons since returning in 1999, yet there appears to be a movement underway to run out of town the coach who has produced half of them in the last four full seasons.

I get the Browns are 2-8 after starting the season with Super Bowl aspirations. I get they lost 35-14 to the Saints on Sunday after entering the fourth quarter tied at 14.

I get the coach is ultimately responsible for the record and everything that happens on the field.

I get the offense has scored 20 points in only one game.

I get the defense and special teams have regressed.

I get the anger and frustration of fans.

All of those things don’t make firing Stefanski the right decision.

He didn’t forget how to coach since last year. He’s still incredibly smart, consistent, not driven by ego and collaborative. He remains one of the best play callers in the NFL, even if he gave up the responsibility in a desperate attempt to spark the offense and perhaps placate some in the organization.

He’s only 42 years old, so he’ll get better in the job.

Stefanski isn’t perfect. Nobody is.

The lack of outbursts on the sideline bothers a segment of the fan base. I don’t think they’re necessary to be a good coach and leader. He’s got plenty of personality to command the attention of the locker room, even if he purposely doesn’t show it in news conferences.

The record this season is indefensible. That’s not up for debate.

But an awful season after a track record of success shouldn’t be enough to fire a coach and/or a general manager. (The future of GM Andrew Berry is a separate discussion for a different day.)

The NFL is a volatile league. Teams go from last to first and first to last in their divisions every year. The difference between winning and losing is razor-thin. Luck, health and momentum can make or break a season. Not to mention quarterback play.

The question isn’t whether Stefanski has done a good job this season. The Browns are 2-8. I’m not sure anybody in the organization can escape that.

The question is whether he’s still the right coach for the team.

I say yes. It’s an easy answer.

He was saddled with quarterback Deshaun Watson for the first seven games. The improvement of the offense in Jameis Winston’s three starts makes it abundantly clear just how poorly Watson played. Even good coaches don’t win with bad quarterbacks.

Stefanski has proven defensive and special teams coordinators in Jim Schwartz and Bubba Ventrone, yet their units have fallen off drastically since last year. I suppose you could blame Stefanski for that, but I don’t.

The roster suddenly feels overrated and old. That’s not Stefanski’s fault.

Either is Dustin Hopkins not being able to make a kick.

The “E” and “Q” words got thrown around like a football at a tailgate after the fourth quarter Sunday. Some media and fans were quick to question the effort and suggest the team quit.

I rewatched the ugly and decisive fourth quarter and didn’t see quitting. I haven’t all year.

If someone wants to point to safety Juan Thornhill twice not running full speed as he trails a touchdown play, I’ll listen. I also understand players know when they’re not going to catch a guy who’s faster and has a big head start. It’s a bad look, but it’s isolated.

I asked Stefanski if he had any issues with the effort, given the 21 points allowed in the fourth quarter, including a couple of long runs.

“I think we got outexecuted a couple times where we just didn’t do our job in some moments,” he said Monday.

Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam are no doubt paying close attention to the effort. They’ve fired five coaches and five general managers since taking over in 2012, which makes conversations about the futures of Stefanski and Berry understandable.

The Haslams have also enjoyed the organizational stability and alignment since hiring Stefanski and Berry in 2020, so any changes would be a significant shift in their thinking, especially following multiyear extensions for both in the offseason.

“We all share in this,” Stefanski said when asked what feedback he’s getting from the top of the organization. “Nobody’s happy being where our record is, but I know all of our focus is on this game and finding a way to get a win in this game.”

Looming over the situation while standing yards away is Mike Vrabel.

The former Titans coach was brought in by Berry and Stefanski in the offseason as a consultant. He’s been active during practices, including as a blocking dummy for offensive lineman, and has been on the sidelines during many of the games.

He was born in Akron, starred at Ohio State and won three Super Bowls as a player with the Patriots. He’s expected to be a top coaching candidate around the league after the season and would be an attractive option if the Browns fired Stefanski.

That doesn’t mean they should. For all those critics who can’t accept a losing season, the Titans went 7-10 and 6-11 in 2022 and ’23 before Vrabel was fired.

Stefanski correctly cautioned against reading too much into Vrabel’s presence on the sideline Sunday.

“Vrabes is involved in a lot of what we do,” he said. “He’s out there on home games. He was able to come to this one. He’s listening in on the conversations with us. He’s a great resource for me gameday, Monday through Friday, so he will continue to do that.”

And Stefanski should continue to be the coach.