Decisions at quarterback often shape how an entire tenure is remembered. That backdrop framed Kevin Stefanski’s comments Friday as he addressed how he approached developing two rookie quarterbacks during his final season with the Cleveland Browns.
Kevin Stefanski Discusses Rookie Quarterbacks and Final Browns Season
Speaking on The Dan Patrick Show, former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski addressed his handling of rookie quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel during the 2025 season. Stefanski was fired by Cleveland following the season and later accepted the head coaching job with the Atlanta Falcons.
Stefanski said he holds no resentment toward the Browns organization or ownership following his dismissal and declined to comment on internal decision-making.
“I have zero ill will towards anyone in that building. Dee and Jimmy Haslam treated me unbelievably, treated my family unbelievably,” Stefanski said.
“As it relates to decisions like that, it’s not fair for me to comment. Those two young players, I love those guys. I loved coaching them. I loved their development. As a coach, you take a player and you try to get a little bit more out of them, and I think both of those guys, you can point to their rookie seasons and say they got better in certain areas.”
“Developing young QBs is something that we want to be at the forefront of… love those two young guys, and they’ll continue to improve.”
– Former #Browns HC Kevin Stefanski on Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. pic.twitter.com/UTZjZfz5Qh
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) January 30, 2026
Cleveland opened the 2025 season with veteran Joe Flacco as its starting quarterback. As offensive struggles continued, the Browns turned to Gabriel before later starting Sanders, resulting in three different quarterbacks starting games during the season. Stefanski said the process of developing rookie quarterbacks in live-game situations is inherently difficult but emphasized that it remains a priority within his coaching philosophy.
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“Trying to structure the offseason, trying to find ways to bring them along, developing young quarterbacks is something we want to be at the forefront of,” Stefanski said. “I think very highly of those two young men, and they’ll continue to improve.”
Stefanski’s tenure in Cleveland spanned six seasons. He was hired in 2020 and led the Browns to two playoff appearances, including the franchise’s first postseason win since the 1994 season. He was named NFL Coach of the Year twice during his time with the organization.
The Browns finished the 2025 season 5-12 and fired Stefanski. According to PFSN’s Offense Impact Metric, Cleveland had an impact score of 52.4 and was graded an F, finishing the season as the league’s worst offense.
Shortly after his departure, Stefanski agreed to become the head coach of the Falcons. Atlanta moved quickly to fill the position, targeting Stefanski for his experience leading offenses and overseeing quarterback development. The Falcons were 8-9 last year and won their final four games, but still fired former head coach Raheem Morris.
Stefanski will have a more talented offensive roster in Atlanta than he had in Cleveland. His comments provided clarity on his approach to the 2025 season and teased what Falcons fans can expect in 2026.
