That was the perfect ending to a season to forget and I’m talking about the game. The defense got two pick sixes, Garrett got the record-breaking sack, our kicker came full circle for the game winner, and the special teams didn’t cost the Browns the game. As for the offense, the presumed 2026 starting quarterback by some, played like the fifth-round pick he is. I know, he guided the team down the field to set up the winning field goal, but was that play calling?
Now to what happened on Victory Monday, the dismissal of head coach Kevin Stefanski. I don’t agree with it, but the league is a bottom-line business and wins matter. I listened to both Jimmy Haslam and Andrew Berry’s media availability and thought both handled them well. Haslam will always spend money, and it sounds like he’s going to do it again. Berry hinted at a few things which the local media and the Berry haters will misinterpret. As for Sanders, he really can’t commit because the new head coach might not want Sanders and all the drama that comes with him. The new coach will want his guy. He also mentioned Watson is still one the roster. Believe me, Watson still isn’t seeing the field in 2026. As for Jim Schwartz being the next head coach, it sounds like he’ll get an interview. But if make Schwartz the head coach to keep his talented defensive staff and Tommy Rees as the OC, isn’t that an indictment on firing Stefanski?
I’m not thrilled with the idea of making Schwartz the head coach because of what happened in Detroit. But I do like the idea of keeping the defensive line coach, the linebackers coach, the secondary coach, the OC, the quarterback coach and the offensive line coach. If you keep this part of the staff intact, the players will be happy, and it might entice Joel Bitonio to come back for one more year. Other names who interest me are Vance Joseph, Matt Burke, Frank Ross, Brant Boyer and Dan Pitcher. Joseph would make this defense better. Burke turned the Texans defense the number one defense this year. Both Ross and Boyer are great special team’s coaches. Ross was named Special Teams coach of the year last year. Before you piss and moan about a special teams coach, remember John Harbaugh and Bill Cowher were special teams’ coaches. Both would hire the people to fix a unit that cost the Browns four games last year. Pitcher is an OC and used to be a QB coach. Word is, he knows how to get the best out of a young quarterback.
Bottom line, the team can fix this if everything goes their way. The have ten draft picks, they’ll have cap room, (I’ve explained this many times) and an owner who’ll devote the cash to fix this team. Stay safe and GO Browns.