With the NFL rumor mill continually churning out nonsense like three Boomhauers debating each other on Adderall, it’s tough to know what’s valid enough to swipe right on.

It seems pretty clear (as we’ve covered in the sections leading up to this one) that Kevin Stefanski is unlikely to be relieved his duties as Browns’ head coach. But if he were, could they do better?

Mike Vrabel was NFL Coach of the Year in 2021, the season after Stefanski won his first of two (2020, 2023); they have that in common, as well as being generally well respected around the league.

The two have plenty of differences also. Stefanski is seen as an offensive innovator, while Vrabel has made his bones on the defensive side of the ball.

Stefanski went to Penn and dove into coaching immediately upon graduating. Vrabel matriculated at Ohio State and had a 14-year career as an NFL linebacker.

Both cut their teeth administratively at their Alma Maters before making the leap to the big show. And both climbed the ranks as position coaches in just one NFL organization before getting the top job elsewhere.

One apparent difference is the impression that Vrabel runs a tighter ship than does Stefanski. This perceived attribute may be what Dawg Pound fans find most attractive about the former Buckeye as a potential coaching hire. Accountability and consequences seem to be sorely lacking with the Browns currently.

Many are sold on Vrabel as a clear-cut improvement over Stefanski in Cleveland. But is Vrabel sold on staying to fill that seat? Let’s explore that now in Part 11.

—@PoisonPill4