Browns CB Denzel Ward shares honest thoughts on Kevin Stefanski's future amid calls to fire HC

Denzel Ward has as much experience working for Kevin Stefanski as any member of the Cleveland Browns organization. However, the lengthy five-season run might be coming to an end. At least, that is what Browns fans have been hoping for, needing someone to blame for another losing year.

Ward chose who to blame in an interview clip posted on X on Wednesday by Browns reporter Ashly Holder. He took a team standpoint, blaming every coach and player for the result of the 2025 season, first giving praise to Stefanski.

"He's a great coach. ... It falls all on his hands in a sense," Ward said. "That's what the outside world sees it as 'oh its just his fault.' It's not just his fault, it falls on all of us. It falls on myself, every single player that's going out there and playing and every single coach. We take this record upon all of us. We all have to all own it."

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Since 2020, the Browns head coach has led the team to two playoff seasons, the first head coach to do so since Marty Schottenheimer in the 1980s. However, he has also led the team to four seasons in which the team missed the playoffs.

Stefanski is 44-56 heading into Week 18 of the 2025 season in a run that has been defined by a disastrous quarterback misstep in moving from Baker Mayfield to Deshaun Watson.

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Exploring potential Kevin Stefanski landing spots

Kevin Stefanski at Pittsburgh Steelers v Cleveland Browns - NFL 2025 - Source: Getty

Black Monday is nearly here, and coaches around the league will learn where they truly stand with their franchise. If the Cleveland Browns are going to cut ties with Kevin Stefanski, the Monday after the final game of the regular season is when it is likely to happen. Some coaches get fired immediately after coaching the Week 18 game, but the 24-48 hours at the end of the season will be the danger zone.

If Stefanski is axed, the Browns head coach could have plenty of options to remain in the NFL. If he can't get a head coaching job at various teams with openings like the New York Giants, or Tennessee Titans, he could end up a number of places as an offensive coordinator.

Teams that could use an offensive coordinator for one reason or another heading into 2026 could also include the Giants or Titans. The Las Vegas Raiders are also in need of an offensive coordinator after moving on from Chip Kelly.

Will Kevin Stefanski land on his feet in 2026 if Cleveland moves on?

Edited by Ian Van Roy