The Cleveland Browns ended their 2025 season with 5-12 record, and as a result, decided to fire head coach Kevin Stefanski. The two-time Coach of the Year has an 8-26 record over the last two seasons.
Noted analyst and Shedeur Sanders supporter Skip Bayless was happy to see the team make the move. Bayless believes that Sanders will benefit greatly from this change.
Skip Bayless says Sanders ‘Cleared for Take Off’ Following Stefanski Firing
Sanders was drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Browns also drafted quarterback Dillon Gabriel earlier in the draft and had veteran Joe Flacco on the roster as well.
Flacco began as the starter, and after the veteran was traded, Gabriel was given the reins. Sanders finally got his first taste of NFL action in Week 11 and started every game after that.
The results for Sanders were mixed. The rookie ended his debut campaign with 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. PFSN’s QB Impact ranking gave Sanders a 57.0 grade, which ranks 44th out of 48 qualified quarterbacks.
However, there are many, including Bayless, who believe Sanders was held back by the coaching staff. Following the news of Stefanski’s firing, Bayless couldn’t hold back his excitement.
“GLORY BE! STEFANSKI IS GONE! I’VE CAMPAIGNED FOR THIS FOR 2 MONTHS! NOW SHEDEUR IS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF,” Bayless declared.
GLORY BE! STEFANSKI IS GONE! I’VE CAMPAIGNED FOR THIS FOR 2 MONTHS! NOW SHEDEUR IS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF! CAN’T WAIT FOR TODAY’S ARENA GRIDIRON 2:30 E!
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 5, 2026
Stefanski had been rumored to be on the hot seat for months. It’s a steep fall from grace for the coach, who won the Coach of the Year Award in 2020 and 2023.
Stefanski will be remembered for breaking the Browns’ long playoff streak in his first season at the helm. The Browns won a playoff game in 2020 before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional round.
Stefanski took the Browns back to the playoffs in 2023, but the 2024 and 2025 seasons were complete disasters. The coach ends his Browns tenure with a 45-56 overall record, with a 1-2 mark in the postseason.
Sanders Seeking to Earn Starting Job Again in 2026
The Browns now have a couple of big questions to answer this offseason. First, the team has to decide on the next head coach, and then, has to decide who will be under center in 2026.
Sanders didn’t exactly light it up in 2025, but there were some flashes and there’s no denying his physical talent. Will the team give Sanders another season to see if he can be the franchise quarterback, or will they go a different direction?
The Browns are currently slated to have the No. 6 pick in the draft, and they’ll also have another first round selection from the Jacksonville Jaguars. With these two picks, the Browns could likely be aggressive in a move for a rookie quarterback. It will be interesting to see what direction the team goes as they look to get back to competing.
