The Kevin Stefanski era in Cleveland has come to an end. On Monday, the Cleveland Browns dismissed their head coach, despite closing the 2025–26 NFL season with a win. With Myles Garrett setting a new single-season sack record, the Browns edged the Cincinnati Bengals 20-18 in Week 18.
Even so, Stefanski’s leadership faced scrutiny throughout the season. Cleveland finished 5-12 overall, a result that ultimately fell well short of expectations and led the organization to make a change.
Five Candidates To Replace Kevin Stefanski
Stefanski’s Browns had losing streaks of two, three, and four games throughout the season. He’s been the Browns’ head coach for six seasons and finishes with a 45-56 overall coaching record in Cleveland.
“We have tremendous gratitude for Kevin’s leadership of the Cleveland Browns over the last six seasons,” Browns Managing and Principal Partners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement after firing Stefanski. “He is a good football coach and an even better person. We appreciate all his hard work and dedication to our organization but our results over the last two seasons have not been satisfactory, and we believe a change at the head coaching position is necessary.”
“We wish Kevin, Michelle and the Stefanski family all the best in the future,” They added. “Andrew Berry will continue to lead our football operations.”
Here are the five candidates they should target now:
5) Brian Flores, Defensive Coordinator, Minnesota Vikings
A second stint as a head coach could do wonders for Brian Flores, who did not have much success with the Miami Dolphins from 2019 to 2021. His name has grown in stature since he left Miami, particularly during his stint as defensive coordinator with the Vikings. He’s known for his schematic vein, especially when designing blitzes.
His time in Miami ended poorly, but he has admitted that he needed to improve in his relationship with the players. He will be one of the most coveted names for the upcoming cycle.
4) Jesse Minter, Defensive Coordinator, Los Angeles Chargers
Jesse Minter is known for his disguise in coverages, and in the past two years, the Chargers have excelled defensively. He has made his secondary one of the hardest to decipher in the league, and many quarterbacks struggle to play against his unit.
After two years under Jim Harbaugh, he could make the switch and become the head coach of a new team.
3) Kliff Kingsbury, Offensive Coordinator, Washington Commanders
Kliff Kingsbury has shown his adaptability with a new team after a torrid stint in Arizona. His Air Raid Offense is no more: he now employs a high rate of 12 personnel in Washington, using more of his tight ends and designing running plays for Jayden Daniels.
Experience is a valuable asset for a head coach candidate, and Kingsbury has demonstrated his effectiveness in his role at Washington. Like Flores, he’ll be a coveted name and could be the perfect hire for a franchise with a young quarterback, something that Stefanski struggled to develop.
2) Ejiro Evero, Defensive Coordinator, Carolina Panthers
Evero has done a great job in Carolina in 2025, with a huge defensive improvement from the previous year. He has already interviewed with multiple teams for the head coach job, but despite conducting second interviews, he has yet to lead a team in his career.
Could this be the year? The Panthers are one of the league’s greatest surprises in 2025 and will fight for the NFC South title until the end. A title could be what Evero needs to put his name in consideration for a head coach job. He would also get to work with Myles Garrett, who would be the best defensive player he’s ever coached.
1) Klint Kubiak, Offensive Coordinator, Seattle Seahawks
His use of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and how he’s unlocking Sam Darnold make Kubiak the best candidate for a head coach job in Cleveland. He could do wonders for Shedeur Sanders or whoever the Browns believe could be their starter in 2026.
Kubiak is the son of Gary Kubiak, a former head coach who led the Denver Broncos to Super Bowl 50 victory. Moving to head coach is the natural next step for him.
