The Cleveland Browns may be long removed from the playoff race, but their upset win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday still sent shockwaves through the AFC North. By knocking off their division rival, the Browns prevented Pittsburgh from clinching a postseason berth and helped set up a winner‑take‑all matchup between the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football in Week 18.
Calls Grow for the Browns To Move On From Kevin Stefanski
Even with the victory, the conversation in Cleveland quickly shifted back to the future of head coach Kevin Stefanski. The Browns are 4-12 and headed for another offseason of uncertainty, and some local voices argue that the franchise should already be preparing for a change.
Those calls grew louder Monday when a prominent Cleveland sports host said the win should not distract from what he believes is a necessary reset. The argument centered on whether the Browns have plateaued under Stefanski and whether a new leader is needed to move the team forward.
“Stefanski’s got to go. Sorry,” ESPN Cleveland host Tony Rizzo said during his show, sparking immediate reaction across the fan base.
Rizzo emphasized that his criticism was not meant to diminish Stefanski’s earlier accomplishments, including the franchise’s first playoff win in nearly three decades. Instead, he framed it as a belief that Cleveland needs a different voice to break out of its cycle of inconsistency.
“I appreciate the fight in the team and I appreciate what he has done here. And I don’t want to minimize what he’s done here, but I still think he’s got to go,” Rizzo said.
RIZZ SAYS KEVIN STEFANSKI STILL HAS TO GO…
Do you agree? https://t.co/kb2oOewi16 pic.twitter.com/VYy2WyVviU
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) December 29, 2025
He then pointed to recent examples around the league where teams found renewed success after making bold coaching changes.
“I only have to look around the league at the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, and Jacksonville Jaguars. If you make the right coaching change, you can find gold in this league,” he said.
Cleveland’s struggles have been reflected in the numbers as well. The Browns hold a PFSN Offense Impact score of 52.8, the lowest mark in the league, underscoring the broader concerns about the team’s direction and the effectiveness of its current leadership.
The Browns will close their season next week with no postseason stakes of their own, but the debate over Stefanski’s future is likely to overshadow the finale. With pressure mounting from fans and the media alike, the franchise faces a pivotal decision as it heads into another offseason in search of stability.
