ESPN INSIDE STORY: Why Jimmy Haslam Hasn’t Fired Kevin Stefanski — And What It Says About the Browns’ Power Struggle
Cleveland Under the Microscope Again
The Cleveland Browns are once again at the center of the NFL conversation — and not because of wins, playoff positioning, or long-term stability.
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Instead, the spotlight is firmly on head coach Kevin Stefanski, owner Jimmy Haslam, and a growing belief around the league that something deeper is happening behind the scenes in Berea. Despite a disappointing season, mounting criticism, and a locker room that appears increasingly fractured, Haslam has not made an interim coaching change.
For many around the NFL, the question is no longer whether Stefanski deserves scrutiny. The question is why he still has the job.
According to Browns insiders, the answer is far more complicated than wins and losses.
A Season That Raised More Questions Than Answers
From the outside, the Browns’ season has felt disjointed from the start. Quarterback confusion, inconsistent game management, questionable personnel decisions, and public frustration from fans have created a sense that the organization is moving without a clear direction.
Kevin Stefanski, a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, finds himself under heavier fire than at any point in his Cleveland tenure. In many markets, a coach overseeing similar circumstances would already be gone.
Yet Haslam has stood pat.
And that silence has only fueled speculation.
The Shedeur Sanders Factor
At the center of the controversy is rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Once projected as a potential No. 1 overall pick, Sanders slid to the fifth round and entered the NFL with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. His path in Cleveland has been anything but smooth.
Despite flashes of high-end ability, Sanders was inserted into the starting lineup late in the season. To many observers, it looked less like patience and more like resistance.
Insiders and fans alike have begun to question whether Stefanski ever truly wanted Sanders leading his offense.
“Any Other Coach Would Be Gone”
Around the league, the sentiment is blunt.
Several analysts and insiders believe Stefanski has survived situations that would have ended another coach’s tenure. Questionable game management, confusing personnel usage, and moments that appear to undermine player confidence have piled up.
One incident in particular raised eyebrows across the NFL: Sanders entering a game with the wrong wristband — a mistake that led to confusion at the line of scrimmage and a delay of game penalty.
That kind of operational breakdown is rare at the professional level. When it happens, responsibility often falls on the coaching staff.
And yet, no change followed.
Why Haslam Hasn’t Pulled the Trigger
According to Browns insiders, Jimmy Haslam’s hesitation comes down to three primary factors: money, control, and long-term leverage.
Stefanski remains under contract. Firing him midseason would mean paying out the remainder of his deal while still covering other coaching salaries. That alone doesn’t usually stop NFL owners — but in Cleveland’s case, it’s only part of the equation.
Haslam is also still living with the consequences of the Deshaun Watson contract, one of the most expensive and controversial deals in league history. That decision, reportedly driven heavily by ownership, reshaped the roster and limited flexibility.
Cutting ties with Stefanski now would invite a larger conversation about accountability — and where it truly belongs.
A Front Office Standoff
Multiple insiders describe the current situation as a quiet standoff within the organization.
Stefanski, general manager Andrew Berry, and Haslam are all tied to decisions that defined the Browns’ trajectory over the last several years. Removing one piece without addressing the others risks exposing fractures the organization may not be ready to confront publicly.
Some around the team believe Haslam is waiting — not because he’s satisfied, but because timing matters. A full reset after the season provides more control, fewer headlines, and a clearer narrative.
An interim move would only create more chaos.
Draft Position and Long-Term Planning
Another theory gaining traction is strategic patience.
The Browns are positioned near the bottom of the standings, and draft position remains a powerful incentive in a league built on parity. Making a coaching change now could spark a short-term emotional bump — the kind that costs draft capital without solving systemic issues.
Insiders suggest Haslam may be prioritizing long-term leverage over short-term optics, even if it means absorbing criticism in the meantime.
In that context, Stefanski’s continued presence may be less about trust and more about utility.
Stefanski Breaks His Silence — Carefully
When asked directly about his job security during a recent press conference, Stefanski declined to engage.
“I’m not going to get into those types of things,” he said. “That’s not my focus.”
It was a measured response, but also a revealing one.
Stefanski understands the noise. He knows the questions aren’t going away. But publicly, he has chosen to stay locked on preparation and process — a stance that suggests he hasn’t been given clear assurances from ownership.
Silence, in this case, speaks volumes.
The Resume That Still Matters
One reason Stefanski retains defenders is his résumé.
He is the first Browns coach in decades to last six seasons. He has won Coach of the Year twice. He has led Cleveland to the playoffs — something that once felt nearly impossible.
Those accomplishments still carry weight in league circles, especially with owners who value stability.
Haslam, often criticized for impulsiveness earlier in his tenure, may be deliberately resisting that pattern.
Where Sanders Fits Into the Bigger Picture
The handling of Shedeur Sanders may ultimately define this era of Browns football.
Critics argue that Sanders was placed in unfavorable situations, both structurally and psychologically. Supporters point to his resilience, leadership, and flashes of elite talent as proof he deserves a fair evaluation.
If Sanders succeeds despite the chaos, it will raise uncomfortable questions about why it took so long to give him an opportunity.
If he struggles, others will argue the damage was already done.
Either way, the decisions surrounding Sanders reflect directly on the coaching staff.
A Locker Room Watching Closely
Players notice everything.
When young quarterbacks are shuffled, delayed, or placed in confusing situations, it sends a message — not just to them, but to the rest of the roster. Trust erodes quietly before it ever explodes publicly.
Several observers believe the Browns’ energy on Sundays suggests a team still competing, but searching for belief.
That belief often starts at the top.
The Soap Opera Label
More than one insider has compared the Browns’ current situation to a sports soap opera — dramatic, emotional, and fueled by conflicting agendas.
Finger-pointing has become common. Fans debate whether the issue lies with ownership, coaching, or the front office. The truth, as usual, is likely layered.
What’s clear is that this isn’t just about one coach or one quarterback. It’s about an organization still trying to define who it is.
What Happens Next
The most likely scenario is patience — at least until the season ends.
Haslam may choose to evaluate everything at once: coaching, personnel, front office structure, and quarterback direction. That approach offers maximum flexibility, even if it frustrates fans in the short term.
An interim firing would satisfy emotions, but not necessarily strategy.
For now, Stefanski remains.
A Defining Offseason Ahead
When the offseason arrives, the Browns will face decisions that shape the next decade.
Is Stefanski the coach to build around a young quarterback like Shedeur Sanders? Does the front office need restructuring? Has ownership learned from past mistakes?
Those answers will come — one way or another.
Until then, the silence from Jimmy Haslam may be the loudest statement of all.
Because in Cleveland, nothing ever stays quiet for long.
