Could Kevin Stefanski become the first Browns coach to leave the organization after beating the Steelers, rather than losing to them? (Cleveland Browns)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Second thoughts on Browns 13, Steelers 6 …
1. I’ve had the feeling for a couple weeks now that Jimmy Haslam and Kevin Stefanski will part ways amicably after this season. That both realize Stefanski has taken the team as far as it will go in six years under his direction. That Stefanski is confident his coaching career may, in fact, be brighter outside an organization that meddles too much on the coaching side of things in the interest of “collaboration.” That he deserves to contribute to discussions about trading the best quarterbacks on the roster before they are traded. Stefanski had a chance on his Monday Zoom to refute all of that when I asked him bluntly, “After two frustrating seasons here, do you wish to continue beyond the season as Browns coach?” His answer was typically and purposely vague. “Yeah, as you can imagine, my sole focus is on this game vs. Cincinnati, but I also would tell you I’m privileged to have this job.”
2. Now, put yourself in his shoes. If you were a two-time NFL coach-of-the-year and had signed a contract extension 19 months ago, and had just knocked off the Pittsburgh Steelers in a loss that really hurt your arch-rivals, wouldn’t a more appropriate answer have been: “What are you talking about? I’m under contract. We have a new bunch of good, young players. Of course I want to finish the job here.”? Stefanski was passively defiant after his team defeated the Steelers. The win dropped the Browns from No. 2 to No. 6 in the draft order, which only complicates the decisions ahead for the organization Stefanski may leave behind. If you agree with me that a possible mutual parting agreement has already been discussed among Haslam and Stefanski – and their mutual friend, super-agent Jimmy Sexton – then the win over the Steelers was historically ironic. Stefanski would be the first Browns coach to exit the team after beating the Steelers.
3. Don’t lose sight of the fact, however, that each of the Browns’ four victories this year was generated by Jim Schwartz’s defense – 13-10 over the Packers, 31-6 over the Dolphins, 24-10 over the Raiders, and 13-6 over the Steelers. After six years under Stefanski’s direction, the offense is abysmal. Out of answers, Stefanski has given up play-calling in two straight seasons. After three years of Schwartz’s direction, the defense is the lone source of pride of the organization. I will repeat a point I first made in a Second Thoughts column on December 1: If the Haslams do make a coaching change, they better not let Schwartz leave the building.
4. Over the course of the season, I have asked some of the key players on defense their thoughts on playing for Schwartz. Here are some of their comments:
Cornerback Denzel Ward: “Schwartz definitely has made me a better player. I’ve said it since Schwartz got here … he helped raise my game to another level, just his defense and his expectations. Putting high expectations on myself. As a competitor, I enjoy that. I want to go out there and show people that I’m the best and I can go get it done. He’s raised my play in a bunch of ways. He’s a great coach, a great person. I can’t say enough great things about him. Man, he’s an amazing coach.”
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger: “I love playing his defense. I love playing for him. Just being able as a linebacker to attack. And I think … not simplicity, but just being able to make it so that we all know what we’re supposed to do and know what we’re doing allows us to play fast. And I think that’s something that really allows us to go out and make plays.”
Defensive end Alex Wright: “I don’t wanna go through free agency. I wanna stay here because of the defense we have. I grew up here. I don’t want to play with nobody else. Also, this defense is made for me, and that’s something me and Coach Schwartz talked about when we first got here. And his initial thing was, ‘I’m gonna make you into a star. I’m gonna develop you, I’m gonna push you.’ I remember it like it was yesterday.”
Reporters asked Myles Garrett, who is now the undisputed best defensive player in the NFL, his thoughts on Schwartz. His answer: “Wins and losses aren’t where we want them, for sure. It’s tough. I wish we could figure it all out a little bit sooner, but to play for Jim has been an honor and a privilege. He’s a great coach. He’s been a great man of character and a great leader. I just appreciate the fact that I’ve been able to be coached by him. He’s helped elevate my game and take it to the heights we see now.”
5. Last year at this time I felt the only coach I would replace Stefanski with was Mike Vrabel. I feel the same way this year with Schwartz.