Browns’ Kevin Stefanski is definitely in the mix for NFL Coach of the Year
The Cleveland Browns are 7-4 on the season despite facing a ton of adversity throughout. It’s a testament to the culture they’ve built, as we all know, it hasn’t always been like that. I feel that head coach Kevin Stefanski should be in the mix for NFL Coach of the Year undoubtedly. For him to […]
The Cleveland Browns are 7-4 on the season despite facing a ton of adversity throughout. It’s a testament to the culture they’ve built, as we all know, it hasn’t always been like that.
I feel that head coach Kevin Stefanski should be in the mix for NFL Coach of the Year undoubtedly. For him to have this team at 7-4 is pretty remarkable.
Often, the award goes to a first-year coach and it may go to DeMeco Ryans this year in Houston. He deserves to be in the running for the job he’s done with the Texans. There is not a doubt in my mind that Stefanski would receive votes this year, after winning the award back in 2020.
Oftentimes fans have criticized the play calling of Stefanski, but there’s no real substance there. He’s far from perfect but he’s undoubtedly one of the better offensive minds in football. The Browns’ offense has had their starting quarterback for five games and two drives, still, they remain at 7-4 and have played a tough schedule. Even in those five starts, Deshaun Watson was only a positive for about two and a half of the games.
Cleveland got a win over the San Francisco 49ers with P.J. Walker starting at quarterback. A player who has thrown five interceptions and fumbled the ball four times in less than four full games played.
The job that has been done developing rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson is another selling point. DTR’s first start early in the season against the Baltimore Ravens was as bad as it gets with three interceptions. The rookie looked better in his first career win against the Steelers in Week 11 and had his best game yet in Week 12 before he had to exit with a concussion.
Since arriving in Cleveland, one of the best things that Stefanski-led teams have done is answer. With any adversity that’s come about, the Browns have often answered. It started back in Week 1 when Jack Conklin was lost for the season at right tackle. Since then, Dawand Jones has led the way at right tackle and looks like the starter of the future.
The most devastating injury was in Week 2, when Cleveland lost the heart and soul of their offense Nick Chubb. Cleveland lost that game against the Steelers and came back out the next week and dominated the Titans.
Cleveland had the doors blown off them by the Ravens early in the season, but they answered in the second matchup with a win in what would be Watson’s final game of the season. The following week DTR was ready to go and Cleveland grabbed another win when not many gave them a chance.
Stefanski has as good of a grip on the locker room as most Browns fans have ever seen. The players rally behind him and that’s often telling of a good coach.
To make the playoffs with what Cleveland has gone through this season would be an amazing accomplishment and one of the better stories in the NFL. The Browns should be able to get in with 10 wins, if they win 11 games Stefanski deserves coach of the year. Simple.
Browns Playoff Picture: Cleveland’s chances to make the playoffs takes a dip after Week 12
Cleveland is going to have to get back on track.
