The first two years under GM Andrew Berry and HC Kevin Stefanski have been a bit of a roller coaster for the Cleveland Browns. With Stefanski hired first and Berry coming along shortly after, the Browns brass were focused on creating “alignment” among their organization.
Berry kicked off the 2020 offseason quickly with the signings of Jack Conklin and Austin Hooper while showing similar aggressiveness in free agency in 2021. His drafts have also produced some high-quality players while leaving some room for growth in his selections in the middle rounds.
Stefanski’s even-keeled approach and offensive system guided Cleveland to the playoffs in their first season but struggled in his sophomore season. Presnap penalties, after whistle blunders and discord among the players, specifically surrounding Odell Beckham Jr. and Baker Mayfield, left some questioning the leadership of the coaching staff.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell surveyed the head coaching hires over the last five years (subscriber, $) and still gave a lot of credit to Stefanski, ranking him eighth during that timeframe:
… Cleveland has looked like a consistently competent football team for much of the past two seasons, just two years after going 0-16 under Hue Jackson.
Browns fans were understandably thrilled with the 2020 Coach of the Year after Stefanski led them back to the postseason, but what happens next will determine whether he goes down the same path as 2017 winner Sean McVay or follows in the footsteps of the guy who won that award the following year, Matt Nagy.
The last point becomes the biggest point for the Browns in 2022. Many coaches have looked good for a year or two but sustained success can be much more difficult in the NFL. Perhaps Stefanski finds the middle ground between McVay and Nagy next year. Perhaps he falls down the Nagy hole that led to his firing just years after winning Coach of the Year.
Two years in, Cleveland made a good choice with Stefanski. What will that decision look like after three? Can the Browns finally have a head coach for five to ten years?