Rumored to be on faucet for this offseason, the Browns’ extension agreements with Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry are actually official. The crew introduced its fifth-year HC-GM combo is signed long run.
This represents uncommon territory for the Browns, who shuffled via quite a few coaches and GMs through the Haslams’ first a number of years as homeowners. After two playoff berths in 4 seasons, Stefanski and Berry did sufficient to indicate possession they need to be on the wheel for the foreseeable future.
Rumblings of the Browns readying extensions for his or her energy brokers emerged in March and a latest providing from cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot pointed to the offers being shut. The Browns have posted their finest four-year win share beneath Berry and Stefanski for the reason that 1986-89 run. Though this regime has not matched the Marty Schottenheimer-Bernie Kosar groups by way of consistency or postseason accomplishments, it has elevated one of many NFL’s perennial doormats to a contender place.
“Regardless of going through a number of participant accidents and utilizing 5 completely different beginning quarterbacks, Andrew and his employees constructed a roster that tailored nicely, whereas Kevin and his employees led the crew to its second playoff look in 4 years, incomes Coach of the Yr honors for the second time in that interval,” Jimmy and Dee Haslam mentioned, referencing the 2023 season, in an announcement. “They’re two of the brightest folks we all know, and selfless individuals who solely care about what’s finest for the Cleveland Browns.”
For the reason that Haslams acquired the Browns in October 2012, they’ve employed six full-time head coaches (Pat Shurmur, Rob Chudzinski, Mike Pettine, Hue Jackson, Freddie Kitchens, Stefanski) and 6 entrance workplace bosses (Tom Heckert, Michael Lombardi, Ray Farmer, Sashi Brown, John Dorsey, Berry). Previous to the Stefanski-Berry 2020 debut season, the crew had gone 1-for-21 in playoff berths since rebooting in 1999. Whereas the Browns have seen some stumbles (notably at quarterback) throughout this duo’s tenure, their 2023 exhibiting introduced trigger for optimism.
Stefanski, 42, joins Invoice Belichick, Bruce Arians and Ron Rivera as HCs to win two Coach of the Yr honors since 2000. The second definitely solidified the play-caller’s case for an extension. The Browns gave Stefanski a five-year contract in 2020. Groups nearly by no means make HCs lame geese, the Dallas scenario however and Stefanski is the longest-tenured Browns HC since Belichick (1991-95). Not one of the Browns 2.0 coaches match Stefanski’s longevity or success and the ex-Vikings OC managing to steer final yr’s crew to the playoffs marked fairly the accomplishment given the circumstances.
The Browns withstood season-ending accidents to Deshaun Watson, Nick Chubb and their high three tackles but managed to win 10 video games this previous season. Stefanski coaxed a surprising resurgence from late-season free-agent signee Joe Flacco, who claimed Comeback Participant of the Yr honors regardless of solely beginning 5 video games. Profitable a playoff recreation proved too daunting a activity for this ragtag solid, however Stefanski’s 2020 Coach of the Yr providing produced a playoff upset (over the Steelers). That win got here with Stefanski at dwelling with COVID-19, although the Browns almost toppled the No. 1-seeded Chiefs every week later.
As a result of 2022 Watson commerce, Berry’s path has been a bit rockier. The Browns grew to become the primary crew for the reason that 1976 49ers to surrender three first-round picks for a veteran quarterback and Jimmy Haslam pinned the concept for guaranteeing Watson’s whole five-year, $230M contract on his GM.
Watson has struggled, together with his 2023 well being points coming as changed starter Baker Mayfield – who succeeded beneath Stefanski in 2020 earlier than struggling amid accidents in 2021 – discovered his footing once more in Tampa. Because the Browns haven’t any alternative however to make it work with Watson, the roster Berry has assembled has confirmed profitable regardless of its QB.
As is the case in Kansas Metropolis, John Dorsey‘s draft selections nonetheless characterize among the high Browns items. Berry, nonetheless, reached extensions with Chubb, Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward and Wyatt Teller. The GM additionally prolonged Joel Bitonio whereas buying Amari Cooper for under Day 3 draft selections. Berry acquisitions, together with the crew’s Jim Schwartz rent, put items in place for a No. 1-ranked cross protection to assist the battered offense final season. Whereas Berry’s draft acumen stays to be seen as a result of crew not having a first-round choose for the previous three years, the 36-year-old exec has made some pivotal contributions throughout his second Cleveland stint.
Berry, who employed Stefanski shortly after rejoining the crew in 2020, initially served as a staffer beneath Dorsey and de facto GM Sashi Brown through the 2010s. The Browns are nonetheless ready for his or her Watson wager to repay, however the crew will give its decision-makers extra time to function round that monster contract.
