Browns owner offers immediate hint on Shedeur Sanders future after historically poor season and Stefanski firing

Jan 5, 2026 - 17:00

Kevin Stefanski has been fired by the Cleveland Browns after six seasons.

Despite being named NFL Coach of the Year in both 2020 and 2023, Stefanski struggled to find consistent success during his tenure and departs following another dismal season.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on December 28, 2025 — Stefanski has been fired by the Browns after six inconsistent seasons as HC

Cleveland went 5-12 in 2025, amid a quarterback circus that centered first on veteran Joe Flacco, before shifting to rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.

In reality, the Browns have been a shambles at the position ever since a blockbuster trade — now regarded as one of the worst in NFL history — brought Deshaun Watson to Ohio back in 2022.

The three unremarkable seasons, and a serious injury to Watson that followed in 2024, ultimately led to Stefanski’s demise.

He leaves having led the Browns to a cumulative regular-season record of 45-56, and two appearances in the playoffs.

Over six seasons, he coached 101 regular-season games — the most for the franchise since Blanton Collier’s 112 games from 1963–1970.

The Browns hired Stefanski in January 2020, and general manager Andrew Berry arrived just a few weeks later.

As it stands, Berry remains in his role, and owner Jimmy Haslam held a press conference on ‘Black Monday’ to outline the immediate future of the franchise.

He also dropped a hint on what to expect for Sanders, who was the Browns’ biggest story throughout his rookie season.

What will happen to Shedeur Sanders after the Browns fired Kevin Stefanski?

Speaking to reporters on Monday, January 5, Haslam revealed he backs the class of rookies drafted in 2025, but still wants to strengthen the roster.

“What’s important to understand about our rookies — you all see them, you all know them — they’re not only really good players, they’re really good people,” he said.

Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns looks on from the sideline during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on December 28, 2025 — Haslam has provided a hint on Sanders’ future, naming his rookie class the cornerstone

“They will be the cornerstone with which we will build, grow, and develop this winning team.

Haslam later added: “There are a lot of examples of teams going from last to first in the NFL. Do we have a core of the team? Yes.

“Do we have work to do on rebuilding the roster? Yes… we have a lot of work to do on the offensive side of the roster.”

By reaffirming his faith in the rookies, Haslam’s comments are good news for Sanders and his fans, and come after a rocky debut season.

Shedeur Sanders hit historic low in Browns rookie year

After a 1-3 start, the Browns benched veteran Flacco, and promoted Gabriel — the 94th overall pick of the draft — to starter.

Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals a week later, and behind their rookie, Cleveland went 1-5 through the next six games.

Dillon Gabriel #8 and Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns speak during warmups before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field on November 16, 2025 — Gabriel and Sanders were at the center of a rookie battle over the starting spot

Gabirel went down with a concussion in Week 11, and Sanders replaced him, before locking down the starting job.

He rode the defense to a win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12, his first start, and later made franchise history with a dominant display against the Tennessee Titans in Week 14.

Sanders was thrown into the deep end, as he had no reps with the No. 1 offense in training camp or the preseason, and continued to work with backups despite moving up the depth chart after the Flacco trade.

He showed flashes over his seven starts in 2025, but often struggled behind a shaky offensive line and went 3-4 as starter to close out the season.

Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns makes a pass during the second quarter of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field — Sanders has shown flashes, but struggled for much of the 2025 season

Sanders threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2025, and his final QBR average was 18.8.

According to analyst Shawn Iyer, that left him with the worst single-season QBR average in Browns history.

Clearly, there is plenty to work on for Sanders.

But Haslam’s comments in the wake of Stefanski’s firing suggest the young QB will indeed get a chance to improve next year.

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Cleveland, though, will have the sixth overall pick in the 2026 draft, and could look to signal callers once again as the franchise hits reset.

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