Cleveland Browns: 5 gifts received in 2020

1. Head coach Kevin Stefanski

Ironically, this should have happened a year earlier. During Cleveland’s 2019 coaching search, Stefanski was the preference of Browns chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta, who also wanted Sean McDermott two years before that. Stefanski had served in multiple roles with the Minnesota Vikings, before taking over as offensive coordinator for the final three games of 2018.

Dorsey wanted to promote Kitchens, and that’s what ended up happening. So when Dorsey was fired and the Browns decided to find their new coach before their next GM, Stefanski’s name again popped up. He now had a full season as OC under his belt, which bolstered his resume compared to the likes of Mike McCarthy and Josh McDaniels, considered the favorites for the job.

Stefanski had just one other head coaching interview scheduled besides his interactions with Cleveland, and that was with the Carolina Panthers, who ended up landing Baylor’s Matt Rhule. Many fans were worried that the Browns were trying to be the figurative smartest team in the room with Stefanski, and it turns out they may very well have been.

Stefanski’s first game as head coach resulted in a 38-6 drubbing by the Baltimore Ravens, but aside from the Week 6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland has been in or has won every other outing, and stands 10-4 with two weeks left. They are on track to make the postseason for the first time in 18 years, and Stefanski deserves Coach of the Year for that feat alone.

He’s established a culture and a unified vision, has gotten the coaches and players to buy in, and has shown an excellent ability to manage the game, whether it’s calling plays, managing the clock, or challenging calls. He also has Mayfield looking like a completely different QB from 2019.

Stefanski is just 38 years old, and it appears that Cleveland has finally, finally found their head coach.

These are just five of many gifts Cleveland has received this season. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, because the Browns are headed to the playoffs.