The Cleveland Browns decisively ended Kevin Stefanski’s tenure on Black Monday after a disappointing 5-12 season, making a clear statement about their expectations. Shedeur Sanders, who had gained significant confidence from Stefanski in the closing weeks, immediately drew attention with his public reaction to the dismissal.
Shedeur Sanders Regrets Kevin Stefanski’s Departure
In an interview with reporters on Monday (via Fred Greetham), Sanders firmly addressed Stefanski’s dismissal, asserting that such changes are an inevitable reality in the league following disappointing seasons. He called on players to channel adversity into personal growth as the team looks ahead.
#Browns Shedeur Sanders reaction to the firing of Kevin Stefanski pic.twitter.com/imFzHp8qvF
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) January 5, 2026
“We just found out a couple seconds ago. I think just over the mentality is like, things are gonna happen, that’s just how the league is, and just focusing on what we can improve individually for the next head coach,” Sanders said.
The decision came after the Browns missed the playoffs for the second straight season, prompting owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam to end a once-promising project. Notably, Stefanski won the NFL Coach of the Year award in 2020 and 2023 but still finished with an overall record of 45-56, highlighting the instability during his tenure.
Meanwhile, this coaching change occurs as the franchise finalizes a $100 million agreement with the city of Cleveland to build a $2.4 billion indoor stadium. At the same time, Paul de Podesta, the director of strategy, recently left the Browns to become the president of operations for the Rockies in MLB.
Looking ahead, starting in 2026, the Browns will have their 13th coach since the franchise was revived in 1999. One statistic underscores the management’s tendency for frequent changes: six of the first 12 coaches have been appointed since 2012.
Will Sanders Remain the Starting QB in 2026?
Following the coaching change, questions have arisen about the quarterback position for 2026. During a season marked by various quarterback challenges, Sanders was given opportunities to showcase his skills and ended with a victory. Although the rookie delivered a poor performance overall, he led the team to a win over the Bengals in Week 18, attempting to prove that he can develop under the next coach despite his instability.
In Week 18, Sanders, who ranks No. 44 in the PFSN QB Impact metric with a F grade and 57.0 Impact Score, managed to complete just 11 of 22 passes for 111 yards against the Browns, ending the season with 1,289 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. His struggles with accuracy and risky decision-making surfaced again, punctuated by an interception returned for a touchdown by Devin Bush that ultimately sealed Cleveland’s hard-fought victory.
It is worth remembering that the Browns will have the sixth pick in the first round of the NFL draft, with the possibility of moving up. The team must now decide whether to draft a new rookie QB or invest in a full season with Sanders, who struggled with turnovers and had difficulty completing deep passes last year.
