The Cleveland Browns seem poised to part ways with head coach Kevin Stefanski after a six-season tenure, which has included two Coach of the Year accolades. Recent developments have solidified the likelihood of his departure as the team looks to the future.
Stefanski’s next opportunity may arise depending on the performance of other teams, specifically one that the Browns defeated this season. Back in Week 3, Cleveland achieved a surprising victory over the Green Bay Packers, winning 13-10. Despite making the playoffs, the Packers have faced challenges as the No. 7 seed for the third consecutive year. Without the expansion of the postseason format in 2020, the Packers would have been looking at a disheartening four-season stretch without playoff appearances.
The upcoming wild-card round becomes crucial not only for the Packers’ prospects but also for their head coach Matt LaFleur and General Manager Brian Gutekunst. New team president Ed Policy, a lifelong Browns supporter, emphasized in June 2024 that neither LaFleur nor Gutekunst would receive contract extensions before the end of the 2025 season. As their contracts are valid through 2026, this creates pressure for both individuals, with the prospect of new contracts or terminations looming following the 2025 campaign.
While reaching the playoffs typically signals success, the Packers’ repeated early departures raise questions about their future. They advanced to the divisional round in 2023 after a single playoff game the previous year, which ended in a loss to the Eagles. Another early exit this season could trigger serious deliberations from Policy regarding the coaching staff.
The coming weekend will be pivotal as the Packers gear up to face either Chicago or Philadelphia. Should they fall short, it could prompt Policy to seek new coaching options—potentially paving the way for Stefanski to return to the NFC North, where he spent the majority of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, marking the first significant coaching search for Green Bay since 2019. With high stakes on both sides, this situation will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.