Browns' Top HC Candidates for Shedeur Sanders' Future After Kevin Stefanski Fired

The Cleveland Browns have a lot of work ahead following a 5-12 finish in 2025, and hiring a new head coach will be among their top objectives.

The franchise announced Monday it fired Kevin Stefanski, who had a 45-56 record in six years and was a two-time Coach of the Year.

Whether Cleveland intends to continue with Shedeur Sanders as the starting quarterback or wants to start over at the position, identifying a coach who can help develop a long-term solution under center will presumably be part of the plan.

From that standpoint, these three candidates could be on the Browns' radar.

Kliff Kingsbury

AP Photo/Derik Hamilton

Kliff Kingsbury's four years as the Arizona Cardinals' head coach were a disappointment. Arizona made just one trip to the playoffs, and 2019 No. 1 pick Kyler Murray didn't blossom into an All-Pro signal-caller.

Neither the Cardinals nor Murray has fared any better after Kingsbury's exit, though, while Jayden Daniels was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in his first season as offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders.

Kingsbury might be looking for an exit, with The Athletic's Dianna Russini reporting on a possible "disconnect" between he and general manager Adam Peters.

The way in which Daniels and Washington's offense as a whole regressed in 2025 could have fans a little wary about Kingsbury. The 46-year-old has at least shown he can set young quarterbacks up for success, though.

Klint Kubiak

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

After signing with the Seattle Seahawks, Sam Darnold carried over the level of performance he enjoyed during his 2024 breakout as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. The 28-year-old earned a second straight Pro Bowl nod after throwing for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba also led the NFL in receptions (119) and receiving yards (1,793).

That has helped to boost the stock of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.

The 38-year-old is the son of longtime NFL coach and assistant Gary Kubiak, and he worked under Kyle Shanahan with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023. He possesses the pedigree a lot of teams seek.

Kubiak's lack of high-level experience could be a mark against him, though. His two previous years as an offensive coordinator — 2021 with the Minnesota Vikings and 2024 with the New Orleans Saints — were pretty forgettable.

Mike McCarthy

AP Photo/Gareth Patterson

If winning a Super Bowl is the overriding goal, then Mike McCarthy isn't your man. If you just want to be competitive and find some stability, then the 62-year-old is a much more attractive option.

McCarthy has a .608 career winning percentage and guided his team to the playoffs in 12 of his 18 years as an NFL head coach. His offenses have also finished in the top 10 in yards on 10 occasions, plus two more times when he was offensive coordinator for the Saints.

In Cleveland, Stefanski's firing underlines the larger problems that have plagued the organization across multiple regimes.

As much as hiring a retread coach often inspires little excitement, maybe the Browns need an experienced hand who could help to lay a strong foundation. McCarthy would fit the bill.