NFL Insider Gives Update on Browns' Potential HC Change Amid Kevin Stefanski Rumors

The Cleveland Browns are considering moving on from head coach Kevin Stefanski this offseason, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Fowler said Tuesday that both the Browns and Las Vegas Raiders have "done their preliminary research for a potential move" at head coach.

"Doesn't mean they're locked in to doing it, or that they've decided yet, but those are certainly on my radar," Fowler said.

The Browns hold a 4-12 record heading into the regular season finale of Stefanski's sixth season as head coach.

Fowler's news comes after NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Dec. 20 the Browns had not yet made a decision about Stefanski's future with the team.

"The Browns know Stefanski can coach, and he has maintained a consistent approach amid the adversity of a transition year with a young roster," Rapoport and Pelissero wrote.

Cleveland signed both Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry to extensions ahead of the 2024 season.

The Browns' owners credited Stefanski and Berry at the time with leading the team to a Wild Card appearance in 2023 despite starting five different quarterbacks that season.

Cleveland has gone 7-26 since those extensions, in part due to continued instability at the quarterback position.

Deshaun Watson was available for just seven games last season before he suffered the season-ending injury that has sidelined him for 2025.

The Browns started out the season with Joe Flacco under center, only to ultimately bench and trade Flacco in favor of testing out two rookie quarterbacks in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.

Stefanski, who was named NFL Coach of the Year in both 2020 and 2023 aft leading the Browns to their last two playoff berths, declined to answer questions about his job security Monday.

When asked if he wanted to return to the Browns next season, however, Stefanski answered: "As you can imagine, my sole focus is on this game versus Cincinnati. But I also would tell you I'm privileged to have this job."

At least part of Stefanski's probability to return could hinge on Sanders, who is preparing to make his seventh and final start of the season on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

According to Rapoport and Pelissero, "how Stefanski and his staff continue to bring along Sanders will be part of the evaluation... as Cleveland approaches a QB crossroads."

Sanders, who completed a career-high 73.9 percent of his passes while leading the Browns to an upset victory of the Pittsburgh Steelers over Week 17, could potentially impact both his own career and Stefanski's with his performance following Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.