The Cleveland Browns coach fired headlines are official: Kevin Stefanski has been relieved of his duties after six seasons. The decision came down on Monday, colloquially known as "Black Monday" in the NFL, following a disappointing 5-12 finish to the 2025 season. As the franchise pivots to yet another rebuild, rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders offered a candid perspective on the volatility of the league.

Shedeur Sanders Reacts to 'Business of the League'

For Shedeur Sanders, the NFL transition has been a baptism by fire. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders was thrust into the starting lineup for the final seven games of the season following injuries to Dillon Gabriel and the benching of veteran Joe Flacco. Now, he faces his first major regime change.

When asked about the news of Stefanski's departure, Sanders appeared unfazed by the chaos surrounding the organization. "This is just how the league is," Sanders told reporters from his locker on Monday. The rookie signal-caller, who has already played under two coaches in his short time with the team—navigating a mid-season shift in offensive play-calling duties to coordinator Tommy Rees before this final head coaching change—seems to have quickly accepted the harsh realities of professional football.

Sanders finished his rookie campaign with mixed results, throwing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Despite the struggles, his reaction suggests a maturity that the Browns will need as they enter an uncertain offseason. With the Shedeur Sanders reaction making waves, fans are hopeful the young quarterback can find stability under new leadership.

End of the Road: Why the Browns Moved on From Stefanski

Kevin Stefanski's tenure in Cleveland was a rollercoaster of historic highs and baffling lows. A two-time NFL Coach of the Year (2020, 2023), Stefanski snapped the franchise's long playoff drought in his first season. However, the last two years proved fatal to his job security. After a dismal 3-14 campaign in 2024, the pressure was mounting. The 2025 season offered little reprieve, ending with a 5-12 record and the offense sputtering near the bottom of the league rankings.

Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam released a statement thanking Stefanski for his contributions but emphasized the need for a "new direction." The Cleveland Browns breaking news confirms that while Stefanski is out, General Manager Andrew Berry will be retained to lead the Browns head coach search. This structural decision suggests ownership views the roster talent—particularly the defense led by Myles Garrett—as salvageable, placing the blame squarely on coaching and offensive execution.

The Offensive struggles

The primary catalyst for the move was the regression of the offense. Despite significant investment in the offensive line and skill positions, Cleveland struggled to score points. Stefanski, who made his name as an offensive play-caller, was forced to relinquish those duties to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees midway through the season—a desperate move that failed to spark a turnaround. The inability to develop a consistent passing attack, coupled with the lingering Deshaun Watson contract situation, ultimately sealed his fate.

The Quarterback Room: A Season of Chaos

The NFL coaching news 2026 cycle is dominated by vacancies, but the Browns' opening is unique due to its quarterback complexity. Stefanski's final season was marred by a revolving door under center. Deshaun Watson, still carrying one of the league's largest salary cap hits, missed the entire 2025 season with a torn Achilles suffered in late 2024. This left the team relying on a patchwork group of Joe Flacco, rookie Dillon Gabriel, and eventually Sanders.

Whoever becomes the Kevin Stefanski replacement will inherit a complicated QB room. They must decide whether to rehabilitate Watson's career, commit to developing Shedeur Sanders, or look elsewhere. Sanders' resilience during the season's final stretch has earned him supporters within the building, but the incoming coach will likely want a fresh evaluation of the roster.

What's Next for the Cleveland Browns?

The Browns head coach search is officially underway, and names are already surfacing. With Andrew Berry staying on as GM, the focus will likely turn to offensive-minded candidates who can untangle the quarterback situation. The Browns possess a high draft pick—projected in the top 10—which adds allure to the vacancy.

For fans, the immediate future holds more questions than answers. Will the new coach commit to Sanders? Is the Deshaun Watson era officially over? As the team clears out lockers in Berea, the only certainty is change. As Shedeur Sanders aptly put it, in the NFL, business often comes before continuity.