Browns' Kevin Stefanski: 'I'm Smart Enough to Not Worry About' NFL Hot Seat Rumors

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski says he is not worried about his job security following his team's 2-8 start to the season.

"I think probably because I grew up listening to [Philadelphia radio], I'm smart enough to not worry about outside noise," Stefanski said, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. "I get that's part of this gig. That's life in the big city. My sole focus is getting this team ready to get a win on Thursday night. That's it."

Stefanski was named the NFL's Coach of the Year after leading the Browns to a Wild Card game appearance in 2023.

The Browns are currently preparing for a Thursday night matchup with the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers, who will enter the contest on a five-game victory streak.

The Browns, meanwhile, are entering the matchup having conceded their seventh loss in eight games following a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Cleveland tied the game at 14 in the third quarter but was unable to contain the Saints offense in the fourth. The Browns defense looked particularly exposed on the 33-yard touchdown run from Taysom Hill that stood as the game-deciding play.

Jameis Winston threw for 395 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers, but the quarterback's performance wasn't enough to make up for the lack of late pushback.

That dispiriting loss sparked rumors regarding the presence of former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel on the Caesars Superdome sideline.

The Browns brought Vrabel on as a consultant before the 2024 season. Vrabel was already the subject of head coaching buzz this offseason after he reportedly interviewed for head coaching roles with the Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers.

That buzz was renewed on Sunday when Vrabel was seen on the sideline of a Browns road game for the first time, but Stefanski said on Monday that nothing had changed regarding Vrabel's role with the team.

"Vrabes is involved in a lot of what we do," Stefanski 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, game day, Monday through Friday. So he will continue to do that."

Stefanski, who has led the Browns to two winning seasons and two playoff appearances since joining the franchise in 2020, signed an extension alongside general manager Andrew Berry ahead of the 2024 season. The team has not disclosed the length of the deal.