Kevin Stefanski doesn’t mince words on job security concerns ahead of Browns’ Week 18 game vs. Bengals

Kevin Stefanski is the Cleveland Browns' most successful head coach since the franchise's reactivation, being the only one in that span to have multiple playoff appearances. And as he enters the 2025 season finale at the Cincinnati Bengals this coming Sunday, he will not let himself be shaken by his future.

Speculation has been rife that he will be fired after yet another lost year that saw quarterback instability and multiple bad losses, but during his video conference on Monday, he said:

"My sole focus is on this upcoming game against Cincinnati, but I would just tell you I am privileged to have this job."

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A two-time Coach of the Year awardee, Stefanski holds a 44-56 regular-season record with the Browns. He and general manager Andrew Berry received contract extensions in 2024 after another playoff run.

Since then, however, they have gone a measly 7-26, not helped by Achilles tears to Deshaun Watson that necessitated using multiple quarterbacks, most recently Shedeur Sanders.

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Kevin Stefanski discusses Shedeur Sanders' focus ahead of Week 18

Speaking of Shedeur Sanders, Kevin Stefanski shared some thoughts on what the rookie quarterback's mindset would be like heading into his final start of the season:

“There’s opportunities for a couple of the plays that we can do a little bit differently. But it’s also an effort to go out there and beat a good football team at your place and get a win. And you never want to lose sight of that with quarterbacks, young and old.”

He continued:

“When it comes to things that we’re looking for him to improve upon, I think (QB coach Bill) Musgrave, (OC Tommy) Rees do a great job... I think you get great development and progress when you’re specific about what you’re looking for.”

Another rookie he talked about was linebacker Carson Schwesinger, who is the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year given his 156 tackles this season:

“I watched it during the game and making plays and pushing himself and trying to get loose in between series. It’s emblematic of the effort out there, and I appreciate that, and I think it speaks well about him. It speaks to his teammates as well.”

Kickoff for the Browns-Bengals game is at 1 pm ET on CBS.

Edited by Andre Castillo