The Cleveland Browns Finally Extended A Head Coach: And It’s The Perfect Time For That Decision

Since 1999 when the team returned to Cleveland, the Browns have never extended a head coach.

On Wednesday, they agreed to an extension with Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski and Executive Vice President Andrew Berry.

While Hue Jackson claims he was extended during Cleveland’s dreadful 0-16 season, that has never been confirmed by the team or any credible NFL reporter. Take that for what it’s worth.

After the news of Stefanski’s extension became public, so many people made the same, redundant joke at owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam’s expense.

“The Browns finally got out of their own way.”

To an outsider, extending Stefanski who has won two coach of the year honors seems like a no brainer. Berry seemed worthy of an extension as well. Without much draft capitol, he’s maintained a competitive, playoff roster in the NFL’s most difficult division.

But the Browns didn’t get out of their own way on this one. Rather, they finally found a regime worth keeping intact.

When Stefanski and Berry were introduced in Cleveland, they preached “alignment” and “collaboration.” They promised the days of dysfunction were over. No more fax machine scandals and intentionally botched trades. No more public disagreements and spats.

Stefanski and Berry have delivered on that promise.

Outside of the national perspective on Deshaun Watson, the Browns haven’t had much drama, The drama that they have had, they’ve quickly exterminated. 

Remember when Odell Beckham Jr.’s dad broke social media because he was complaining about Baker Mayfield? Promptly released. Remember when Mayfield submitted his own trade request because the Browns wanted to upgrade? Traded.

Remember when failed draft pick Perrion Winfrey was alleged to be chasing a woman out of a hotel with a gun? Promptly released.

This regime has brought much needed stability to an organization that majored in change and turnover. But prior to them, the Browns have never really had anybody worth keeping around.

Freddie Kitchens was an unmitigated disaster. The Browns stuck with Hue after 1-31, and he still couldn’t figure it out. Mike Pettine, Rob Chudzinski, Pat Shurmur, or Eric Mangini never amounted to much as head coaches after the Browns, either. And the list goes much further than them.

The pairing of Stefanski and Berry just works. They get each other. They work well together. But they still have more work to do.

This is the regime that mortgaged three first-round picks and $230 million fully guaranteed to a very controversial figure in Watson. They desperately need him to work. So far, he hasn’t. 

If Watson plays well and stays healthy in 2024, he’s likely rewarded with an extension. If he plays poorly, he’s likely released, forcing the Browns to eat all of that money against their cap space. 

If things go well, the Browns finally have their coach and quarterback combination that they’ve been looking for since 1999. 

If things sour, the Browns at least have two very competent, level-headed individuals running the show to keep this boat afloat.