The Cleveland Browns' coaching search is quickly turning into a full-blown disaster, and one recent move by former head coach Kevin Stefanski has just poured gasoline on the fire! Did Jimmy Haslam make a huge mistake?
When Kevin Stefanski's departure from the Browns became official on Black Monday, the immediate reaction from fans was a collective, 'That’s it?' It felt underwhelming, like something was missing. The big question now is whether owner Jimmy Haslam’s decision to retain general manager Andrew Berry and task him with finding the team's 23rd head coach in franchise history is already proving to be a massive misstep. Three weeks into the search, the Browns have been rejected by several top candidates, including Chris Shula, Jesse Minter, and Mike McDaniel. And to make matters worse, they've seemingly stumbled with the NFL's Rooney Rule, potentially prolonging the agonizing process.
On paper, Cleveland shouldn't be such an unattractive destination for coaching talent. The team boasts a solid mix of young and established players, particularly on defense, and could realistically improve upon last year's disappointing 5-12 record with the right offseason moves and a clear direction. They should be a team on the rise.
But here's where it gets controversial... There are undeniable pressure points clouding the picture. First, an owner with a well-documented history of meddling and impatience. Second, a GM who has a significant say in personnel decisions and has been around for a while. Some believe Cleveland's vacancy would have been far more appealing had Haslam opted for a complete organizational reset after the season. His decision to effectively make Stefanski the scapegoat has not only complicated the coaching search but has seemingly forced Berry to consider less conventional options.
And this is the part most people miss... There's another layer to the Stefanski vs. Berry dynamic. In 2026, we'll have a clear scoreboard. Stefanski’s swift move to hire former Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees for the same role in Atlanta creates a fascinating case study for fans to monitor throughout the upcoming year.
Rees and Falcons have agreed to terms. He’s Atlanta’s OC. https://t.co/3Nf9cPp18r
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 22, 2026
In essence, Kevin Stefanski just exposed some deep-seated issues within the Browns organization without uttering a single word. He may well have had the last laugh.
The timing was right for Stefanski to move on from Cleveland, but Haslam's strong defense of Berry during his end-of-season press conference looks increasingly questionable with each passing day. It raises the question: was Haslam too quick to defend his GM?
To be fair, Berry made some excellent moves in 2025. He signed defensive tackle Maliek Collins and re-signed linebacker Devin Bush in free agency. He also seemingly nailed the 2025 NFL Draft, landing a potential star in second-round linebacker Carson Schwesinger and a dynamic offensive weapon in third-round tight end Harold Fannin.
Haslam also praised Berry's midseason trade that sent Greg Newsome II to Jacksonville for Tyson Campbell – a move that proved to be a significant boost to Cleveland's defense (while simultaneously hindering the Jaguars' playoff hopes). This trade is a perfect example of how a seemingly small move can have a major impact.
With all that said, Berry's influence is undeniably present in the team's current weaknesses, most notably with quarterback Deshaun Watson, who's set to have an NFL-record $80.7 million salary cap hit in 2026. This situation alone puts enormous pressure on the team.
The Browns' roster is struggling in two key areas: offense and special teams. They've been searching for a franchise quarterback for years, their offensive line is depleted of starting-caliber players, and their wide receiver corps is arguably the worst in the league. Cleveland's special teams, both in terms of personnel and coaching, had one of the worst seasons in NFL history, according to DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average). It was a truly disastrous performance.
Of course, Stefanski's message may have grown stale, making his departure necessary. However, he was also placed in a challenging situation, particularly when it became clear early in the season that the team's aging offensive line wouldn't hold up. Things deteriorated rapidly, and few coaches could have prevented the inevitable collapse.
As for Rees, reports in early December suggested he would remain in the team's plans beyond 2025. The Browns even interviewed Rees for their head coach vacancy after Stefanski's exit.
First year in Atlanta is gonna be an interesting case study on how bad the personnel in Cleveland really has been the last season or two.
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) January 21, 2026
The harsh reality is that Rees is only 33 years old, and he just coordinated an offense that ranked 31st in both points per game and total EPA (Expected Points Added). Typically, an NFL coordinator doesn't retain their job after such a poor season, making Rees's departure from Cleveland unsurprising – and his quick move to Atlanta extremely telling.
Stefanski essentially said the quiet part aloud without explicitly stating it: the offensive personnel was the primary issue in Cleveland, not the coaching. He's now inheriting a wealth of offensive talent in Atlanta, including quarterback Michael Penix Jr., wide receiver Drake London, running back Bijan Robinson, and right guard Chris Lindstrom, which could help validate his point. If he can turn that talent into a potent offense, it will be a clear indictment of the Browns' roster construction.
If two of the most prominent coaches from Cleveland's 2025 staff find immediate success in Atlanta, it'll be another significant setback for Berry and the Browns. This situation raises a critical question: Can Andrew Berry turn things around, or is he destined to be remembered as the GM who couldn't build a winning team, no matter how many chances he got? Will the Falcons' success be a damning indictment of the Browns' roster? Let us know what you think in the comments!
