We’ve often discussed how the Cleveland Browns are one of the worst franchises in NFL history, mainly due to their consistently poor decision-making. They repeatedly make mistakes that harm the team, and when they do get something right – which is rare – they often manage to waste it.

A clear example is Baker Mayfield, the quarterback they discarded after the 2021 season to hand a fully guaranteed $230 million contract to Deshaun Watson – a move that has proven to be a complete disaster. Meanwhile, Mayfield is thriving with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coming off a 4,500-yard passing season.

Now they’re in the middle of the Shedeur Sanders saga, similar to the Johnny Manziel debacle back in 2014 – a complete disaster. But that’s not all. The Browns have an excellent head coach in Kevin Stefanski, a coach who has taught this team how to win, yet if they don’t take advantage of him, he’ll succeed elsewhere.

Kevin Stefanski Is a Top 10 NFL Head Coach

Since Kevin Stefanski arrived in Cleveland in 2020, the franchise has taken major steps forward in terms of competitiveness. However, questionable front office decisions – especially at the quarterback position – have stalled that progress.

In his first season in 2020, with Baker Mayfield as quarterback, Stefanski led the Browns to an 11-5 record and their first playoff win since 1994 – an undeniably historic achievement. That year, Stefanski was named Coach of the Year.

Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranks Kevin Stefanski as the 10th-best head coach in the NFL. “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.”

PFF has Kevin Stefanski as their 10th-ranked head coach in the NFL.

“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.”

Do you believe Stefanski is a top-10 head coach… pic.twitter.com/zz7U026ykA

— The Dawgs – A Cleveland Browns Podcast (@thedawgspodcast) June 25, 2025

Then again in 2023, with Joe Flacco finishing the season, Stefanski brought the Browns back to the playoffs and was once again named Coach of the Year. Now, the future is uncertain. The current quarterback competition may be an unpleasant drama for him, but if he’s still around in 2026, he might finally get the chance to pick his quarterback – especially with the amount of talent expected in the next draft class.