If the Browns move on from HC Kevin Stefansi, the speculosphere is churning out the name of Mike McDaniel. Both are currently employed as head coaches, the latter with the Dolphins, but are both on the proverbial hot seat. The Browns are back in the basement, while the Dolphins are assured a losing season heading into Week 18.
“I’m hearing conflicting things on Miami; for a while it sounded as if Mike McDaniel was a good bet to stay, but lately the winds seem to have shifted a bit on that, so we’ll see where that lands”, writes Dan Graziano for ESPN. “Cleveland is a spot people are keeping an eye on, with the idea that Kevin Stefanski could be a head coach candidate elsewhere if the Browns do move on”.
Jeremy Fowler believes Zac Taylor is safe with the Bengals, who once held onto Marvin Lewis for 16 seasons without ever winning a playoff game. He also wrote that it’s not his “expectation” that either the Steelers or Ravens are contemplating a move. Graziano concurred.
According to Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns “have had internal discussions about Stefanski’s future”. However, she said that whether they actually let him go remains to be seen. Many believe that he would be a top candidate to land another head coaching job should Cleveland move on.
Kevin Stefanski is in his sixth season as the Browns’ head coach. He has led them to the playoffs twice, winning one playoff game—their first since their return in 1999. He has led them to winning records twice but has never won the division and has had a losing season every other year. In the past two seasons, he has won seven games—potentially eight if the Browns beat the Bengals in Week 18.
She notes that the organization’s view of Shedeur Sanders’ future, and Stefanski’s role in his development, will be a key factor in what decision the Browns make about Stefanski. But she also notes that Mike McDaniel has “been on their radar for some time”. He was briefly on their staff in 2014 as a wide receivers coach.
The Browns signed Kevin Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry to contract extensions in 2024, though the exact length is unknown. The Haslams, however, are not afraid to make moves at a financial cost. As for McDaniel, he is reportedly under contract through the 2028 season. Though that is some considerable length, he is not one of the higher-paid head coaches in the NFL.
Both the Browns and Dolphins have quarterback uncertainty. Cleveland hurt its chances of drafting a top quarterback by beating the Steelers this past Sunday. The Dolphins just benched Tua Tagovailoa, which could signal the end of his tenure there. Neither job is probably the most desirable in the NFL. Yet if either Stefanski or McDaniel were let go, they would be among the most popular names on the coaching circuit.