Kevin Stefanski is here to stay

The last post I published about Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was more of a defense piece.

This one will be a little different. It will be more of an endorsement for Stefanski’s performance this season.

No need to get on my soapbox; instead, I’ll be handing out pamphlets and spreading the word on why Stefanski has guided himself to not only a new contract extension but also a possible coach of the year award this season.

As someone who has previously played football, from youth league to NCAA Division 3, I’ve had my fair share of coaches. Some have been excellent, while others have not. What makes a great coach?

• Leadership
• Honesty
• Organization
• Consistency

I have more but I’m going to leave it at that.

Stefanski possesses at least four of these characteristics. For many years, the one thing Cleveland lacked as a head coach was a leader. Stefanski has developed as the football team’s leader. The team is dialed in, based on how he addresses the team in his post-game win speeches. He has faith in his players, and the players have faith in him:

the guys in this locker room will not be denied 😤 pic.twitter.com/UPh4Zf5jbK

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 17, 2023

My three candidates to win Coach of the Year this season it would be these three candidates (in no particular order)

• Houston Texans HC DeMeco Ryans
• Cleveland Browns HC Kevin Stefanski
• Indianapolis Colts HC Shane Steichen

All have strong cases to win the award but if you were to ask me who is the front-runner to win it, it would be Stefanski.

Why? Allow me to explain.

Everyone would have been shocked if you were to say that Cleveland would be 9-5, in full control of gaining a Wild Card spot in the AFC despite losing multiple key players due to injuries, whether it is season-ending or missing time (players in bold out for season):

• QB Deshaun Watson
• RB Nick Chubb
• LT Jedrick Wills
• RT Jack Conklin
• DT Maurice Hurst
• S Grant Delpit
• CB Denzel Ward
• S Juan Thornhill
• DE Ogbo Okoronkwo

Multiple injuries. The team is 9-5. There is a narrative going around that the Browns are winning due to “luck” and that they are “the worst 9-5 team ever.” For starters, it is hard to win in the NFL. Not every win is a guarantee. Here are some numbers to share with you.

• 9th in Team DVOA
• +20 Point Differential (12th)

Why did I bring those numbers up? It’s simple. If you want to measure how good a team is, those two stats are key in determining how good a team is. Whether you like it or not, Cleveland is a good team.

Would you believe me if I told you that the Browns would have multiple wins with four different quarterbacks this season? Quarterbacks Deshaun Watson, P.J. Walker, rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and Joe Flacco are the four quarterbacks

Insane to think about.

Cleveland is getting competent QB play which is why the team is in the position that they are in currently. Stefanski has a lot to do with it:

For the 10th time this year

The @Browns are a very well coached football team pic.twitter.com/cz9VXqD2wZ

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) December 18, 2023

Love Kevin Stefanski's screen game

Sells toss left. Flacco then works right. That pulls 93, 97 and 95 away.

Works back left to three OL basically relocating the left side of the line, but now out in space pic.twitter.com/N9VIxaolj9

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) December 18, 2023

In terms of playcalling, please disregard my statement that “Kevin needs to give up play calling.” in “We need to run the ball more.”

Flacco has his moments of putting the ball in danger and throwing fantastic passes, but Stefanski has a lot to do with the offense’s recent success. Consider the 4th and 3rd play call against the Jacksonville Jaguars a few weeks ago.

Stefanski deserves praise for the way he devised the play, as well as the design and execution. Stefanski’s use of RPOs (run-pass options), play-action, and several short-quick game concepts has helped the 38-year-old Flacco look revived.