After the Cleveland Browns went 11-5 in 2020, head coach Kevin Stefanski was regarded as one of the NFL’s rising stars, with the Browns winning their first playoff game since 1994.
Coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns is expected to return in 2023, but the owner wants significant changes
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Many fans are calling for Stefanski to be fired as part of sweeping changes to the team two years later.
This offseason, the Browns went all-in on quarterback Deshaun Watson, trading multiple first-round picks for him and signing him to a guaranteed $230 million contract.
Many believed that when Watson returned from his suspension, the Browns would still be in playoff contention with Jacoby Brissett as the fill-in starter and Amari Cooper as the No. 1 receiver.
Things quickly went wrong for Cleveland. Following a 2-2 start, it lost four consecutive games, causing growing discontent among the fan base.
The Browns showed signs of life before the bye with a 32-13 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, but they lost their first two games in November.
Kevin Stefanski has a 25-23 record
When Watson returned on Dec. 4 to make his Browns debut against the Houston Texans, the team was 4-7.
Despite the crowded NFL standings, Cleveland still had a chance to make a playoff run if Watson played like a franchise quarterback.
While the Browns defeated Houston, they were defeated again a week later by the Cincinnati Bengals. In addition, the team narrowly defeated the Baltimore Ravens 13-3, despite facing backup quarterback Tyler Huntley. Cleveland’s offense struggled once more on Christmas Eve, losing 17-10 to the New Orleans Saints.
It’s all a result of problems with the Browns’ passing game in recent weeks. Stefanski’s offense, which already ranks 14th in scoring (21.5 PPG) and 22nd in points per play (.321), is now performing worse with Watson than it did with Brissett.
- Cleveland Browns offense (Week 1-12): 222.5 pass ypg, 12-7 TD-INT, 7.1 ypa, 86 QB rating
- Cleveland Browns offense (Week 13-16): 167 pass ypg, 2-3 TD-INT, 5.7 ypa, 67.5 QB rating
After the Browns were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday, fans began calling for Stefanski’s firing. However, it appears that the franchise has no plans to change its head coach.
Stefanski is expected to return as the Browns’ head coach in 2023, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. In the face of rumors of a possible firing, team owner Jimmy Haslam reportedly hasn’t even considered a change.
While Stefanski will return for the 2020 season, he will need to make significant changes to the coaching staff, which will alter the offense and defense in 2023.
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The owner of the Cleveland Browns is considering an Air Raid-style offense
Haslam is a University of Tennessee graduate and a major supporter of the Tennessee Volunteers football team.
Witnessing Tennessee’s success in its revitalized 2022 season is said to have influenced Haslam’s desires for the Browns.
According to CBS Sports, Haslam wants to make changes to the Browns’ offense that are similar to the Air Raid offense.
The implementation of the Air Raid offense by Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel resulted in Tennessee having one of the best offenses in the FBS, as the college football world witnessed.
Adopting some of those schemes could have a significant impact on the Browns’ play-calling next season.
Cleveland ranks ninth in rush rate (47.76%), with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt carrying the offense heavily.
If Haslam’s wishes influence Stefanski’s decision-making next season, Cleveland could shift to passing on at least 60% of its plays and using more spread formations
. However, it’s worth noting that Kliff Kingsbury’s implementation of Air Raid concepts into the Arizona Cardinals offense hasn’t resulted in long-term success.
One change that will almost certainly benefit Cleveland next season is the expected firing of defensive coordinator Joe Woods, who has failed to capitalize on a defense that features some of the highest-paid players in the NFL.
