There’s no denying that Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is highly respected, and deservingly so. He’s damn good at his job, with the individual accolades to back it up.
However, we hear it all the time: “The NFL is a results-driven business.” The bottom line is the bottom line, and in this business, it’s winning. Rubber eventually meets the road for everyone if a team isn’t prevailing; Stefanski’s no exception, regardless of his strong pedigree and sharp football mind.
Cleveland’s record and offensive ineptitude since their 2023 playoff run have ostensibly too much to ignore. It’s time for someone to be held accountable, and FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano latest hot seat rankings suggest that could be Stefanski in due time.
Stefanski comes in at No. 3 on Vacchiano’s updated list, which is notably one spot lower than his previous mark. Nevertheless, offseason turmoil in Cleveland feels imminent amid a second straight lost campaign, or at least that should be the case. It remains unclear whether the Browns want to make drastic changes, though new leadership would be a logical pivot if so.
Cleveland’s shortcomings over the past season and a half (and counting) don’t fall squarely on Stefanski, as Vacchiano notes. Yet, it’s becoming increasingly difficult “to hide from” the losing in this stretch and the overall lack of success during his tenure. Ownership may not see what’s happening, but the Browns are “crying out for a complete demolition.”
Knowing this, Vacchiano believes “there doesn’t seem to be much of a point in continuing the torture of Stefanski (and his career) much longer.” The logic is sound, but at the same time, can Cleveland find a better option? That’s up for debate.
As one of 13 multi-time Coach of the Year winners and the second-youngest to accomplish the feat, Stefanski is a historically esteemed sideline general. He’s been dealt a bad hand in Cleveland, particularly at quarterback. We’ve seen what his capabilities are with better options at the league’s most important position.
If the Browns ultimately decide to move on from Stefanski, or vice versa, it wouldn’t take long for him to land on his feet. The 43-year-old has an outstanding résumé that figures to be a highly sought-after commodity if available. He’d be among the top head coaching candidates for any opening, reportedly already emerging as a “name to watch” for the New York Giants’ vacancy.
Following the Green Bay Packers’ 10-7 Week 10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on “Monday Night Football,” head coach Matt LaFleur was immediately bombarded with questions about his job security.
Though he has a 72-36-1 record in six-and-a-half seasons with the Packers, LaFleur has come under fire in recent years for his third-, second-, and third-place finishes in the NFC North, respectively, the last three seasons.
Some might say it’s a bit premature to put LaFleur on the hot seat, but others like The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, believe the 46-year-old could be coaching for his job the rest of the season.
“I’ll leave that for everybody else to decide,” LaFleur said about whether he thinks his job is at risk. “I’ll just focus on the day-to-day. … I feel like you’re always coaching for everything in this league, you know? … That’s just my mindset and that will be my mindset ’til they tell me not to coach anymore.”
While the calls for LaFleur’s job will likely only get louder with each Packers loss, some feel he could have quelled some of those unruly fans wanting him ousted if he had done one simple thing: relinquish his offensive play-calling duties.
However, as LaFleur informed reporters during Wednesday’s media availability, that’s not something he’s willing to do at this moment.
“With a chuckle, Matt LaFleur says he isn’t giving up play calling,” Schneidman tweeted.
With a chuckle, Matt LaFleur says he isn’t giving up play calling.
While the Packers are playing championship-caliber defense through 10 games, the same can’t be said of the offense.
Green Bay ranks 12th in yards per game (349.3), 15th in points per game (23.7), and it has the 20th-ranked rushing offense. The Packers also have the sixth-worst average yards per rush (3.9).
Those numbers, while not terrible, don’t exactly paint the picture of an offense poised to make a deep playoff run.
LaFleur admitted that he knows changes have to be made.
“I think that, especially as the play-caller, you’re trying to put people in the best position possible to go out there and have success,” LaFleur added, via ESPN. “And when we’re not having collective success … you have to challenge yourself to do better, to find something else in order to go out there and move the ball and score points.”
Offensive struggles are something new for the Packers under LaFleur.
In his previous six season, Green Bay had a top-11 offense four times, including having the fifth-best offense last season.
That track record is likely why star quarterback Jordan Love hasn’t lost faith in his head coach. After Monday’s loss, Love stood up for his head coach, stating no one should be counting LaFleur out just yet.
“I’ve got a lot of trust in Matt,” Love said. “That’s something that’s not wavering at all. I’ve been with Matt since I got here. I know exactly what he’s capable of, what the whole staff is capable of; that’s not wavering. It comes back to all of us — players, coaches, everybody — finding ways to improve and get better.”