Should Stefanski be on the Hot Seat? NFC Coach, Says He Should Be at the Top of List
It's a question that gets asked every year across the league at this time of year, just as teams prepare to kickoff games where real wins and losses will be handed out. Although they mean nothing in the preseason; we are right around the corner from the regular season where every game often comes down to razor thin margins.
According to Matt Lombardo of FanBuzz, they spoke to several NFL executives and coaches in buildings across the league to find out which coaches are beginning the season on the hot seat. You can read the entire article here.
A direct quote from an anonymous NFC coach certainly caught my attention when he said: "Kevin Stefanski would be the first name on my list. The Browns Have had a loaded roster the last several seasons and they just don't win." - NFC coach
While I certainly don't agree with that coaches assessment, one could make the argument that Cleveland Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski is facing the most critical four game stretch of his career. The Browns open the season with three of their first four games against division opponents before having a bye in week 5.
Most pundits would consider the AFC North to be the toughest division in all of football, myself included. With that said, the schedule makers wasted no time cutting to the chase, however, they did manage to soften the blow a bit, only scheduling one of those four on the road.
Just yesterday, Stefanski said that he isn't worried about his job status and is focused on the future. To also say that the Browns just don't win is inaccurate. Stefanski is the first coach to have a winning record 26-24 through his first three years since the team returned to Cleveland in 1999.
He has also coached in the toughest of circumstances each of the past two years with his starting quarterback either being injured or suspended for most of the season.
We will see what kind of a difference a full year of Deshaun Watson at quarterback in addition to the new coordinator hires of Jim Schwartz and Bubba Ventrone make. I believe these factors will be like throwing a bucket of ice water on that hot seat conversation but we shall see.
