On December 28th, 2023, the Cleveland Browns defeated the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football by a score of 37-20. That night the Browns earned their second playoff berth in 4 years and head coach Kevin Stefanski won his second NFL Coach of the Year award in 4 years. It appeared that the long-awaited organizational stability that many Browns fans have wanted has finally arrived. But a lot can change within a year. And things did change for the Browns in 2024.

The Cleveland Browns started their 2024 training camp with players on injured reserve. Deshaun Watson their high-priced franchise quarterback and the offense was severely underperforming as the 2024 season progressed. Watson’s season ended with an Achilles Tendon injury. The Browns defense wasn’t as dominant as the prior season. The team struggled and limped into week 12 of the 2024 season with a 2-8 record and had to face the 8-2 Steelers at home. Rumors were starting that Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was possibly coaching his last game for the Browns that night against Pittsburgh. But a post X from Ian Rapoport changed the vibe quickly.

https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1859767546095792214

According to Rapoport’s post, Kevin Stefanski is expected to be retained for the 2025 season. This was according to his sources. Rapaport is a reliable NFL reporter. Most Browns fans that I spoke to at the game were OK with this move or non-move. However, they all felt that some changes need to be made with the disappointment of the season. Many times, in the past Cleveland Browns head coaches were on a short leash and unceremoniously fired after losing to Pittsburgh. But the Browns did win against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the news of Stefanski being retained was reported before the game. Organizations like the Steelers and Ravens have had stability that Browns fans have envied. With the news of Stefanski staying, we can at least have that stability we have always wanted.