Browns coach Kevin Stefanski not worried over hot seat talk

BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday that he’s not concerned about talk that he is on the “hot seat” amid his team’s 2-8 start to the season.

The Browns are off to their worst start since 2017, when the team went 0-17, and in recent weeks, there has been speculation on local Cleveland radio regarding Stefanski’s job security.

“I think probably because I grew up listening to [Philadelphia radio], I’m smart enough to not worry about outside noise,” Stefanski said. “I get that’s part of this gig. That’s life in the big city. My sole focus is getting this team ready to get a win on Thursday night. That’s it.”

Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry, both of whom joined the organization before the 2020 season, signed extensions in June after leading the Browns to their second playoff appearance in four years. The Browns did not disclose the length of those extensions. Stefanski won his second NFL Coach of the Year award last season for his efforts in guiding an injury-riddled team back to the postseason.

Cleveland, however, has regressed from its 11-win season last year. The Browns, with a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night, would clinch their 22nd losing season since returning to Cleveland in 1999.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson, for whom the Browns traded three first-round picks and gave a fully guaranteed $230 million deal before the 2022 season, suffered his second straight season-ending injury in Week 7. Watson has only started 19 games in Cleveland — he served an 11-game suspension to start the 2022 season after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions — and has posted the second-worst total QBR since making his debut.

Days after Watson tore his right Achilles tendon, Stefanski announced he would be relinquishing playcalling duties to offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, a decision he said was made on his own.

During the team’s Week 10 bye, Berry was asked about how confident he was that he and Stefanski will get another season to turn around the team.

“I’ll be honest, neither of us really think of it that way,” he said. “I’d say number one, to myself, I always view myself as a steward of the organization in this role and really my focus is on doing the things that are in my control, short term and long term, to make sure it’s in the best interest of the franchise. … Kevin’s an outstanding coach and he’s absolutely part of the solution with everything.”