Browns must avoid the save your job fallacy when deciding Kevin Stefanski’s future — Jimmy Watkins

CINCINNATI, Ohio — The Browns conscionable gave up a touchdown drive, and this intends coach Kevin Stefanski must go. No, wait, now linebacker Devin Bush is returning an interception 97 yards for a touchdown 2 drives later. Bring Stefanski back. No, hold now nan Bengals — stop.

See really silly this is?

Stefanski hit nan Bengals 20-18 during Sunday’s play finale, but nan consequence shouldn’t matter. Co-owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam will person six years of grounds to decipher erstwhile deciding Stefanski’s future, nary of which will beryllium altered by 1 much triumph (or moreover 2 more).

Time to rip nan bandage. Either support Stefanski aliases don’t, but extremity pinch this “save his job” nonsense.

True: The Browns played pinch much passion this week (and last) than your emblematic four-win franchise, which could awesome religion successful nan coach. Also true: If effort is nan rubric you’re grading on, past your coach already has a civilization problem.

Over nan past 2 seasons, Stefanski’s discourtesy has stalled and his different flaws person popped successful nan process. Fans ever interpreted his even demeanor arsenic a deficiency of locker-room rah rah. Star rusher Myles Garrett’s determination not to endorse nan coach erstwhile reporters asked him Friday didn’t thief Stefanski’s case. A neither does Cleveland’s deficiency of subject during his tenure.

The Browns rank 18th successful penalties per crippled and 16th successful mean punishment yardage this season, and they’ve classed 20th aliases worse during each different play nether Stefanski If you deliberation these numbers warrant firing a coach pinch 8 wins since 2024, I won’t argue.

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But successful nan tone of truth, we each cognize nan main logic why Stefanski’s grounds has plummeted complete nan past 2 seasons, and we each cognize Stefanski couldn’t scheme for it.

Yes, nan coach boarded a level to transportation backmost Deshaun Watson connected nan Browns successful 2022. No, Stefanski did not origin nan erstwhile Pro Bowler’s regression. Watson mislaid his playmaking expertise and his assurance aft arriving successful Cleveland, and nan Browns mislaid alongside him aft paying 3 first-round picks and $230 cardinal to get him.

If you’re wondering really nan Browns fto their violative statement get truthful old, look astatine nan Watson trade. If their receiving corps looks for illustration it’s missing a first-round talent, that’s because it is. And if ownership is looking for a logic to clasp this caput coach, they tin find it here:

Stefanski vanished 26-24 successful 3 seasons earlier nan Watson waste and acquisition Since then. He is 18-32 since.

Yes, it could really beryllium that simple. Ownership wears nan Watson waste and acquisition and acknowledges its wide-ranging detriments. Stefanski earns 1 do-over for each Coach of nan Year grant successful his trophy room. Ownership tin waste that to a fanbase.

It tin besides determine to extremity tolerating pre-snap penalties and return Garrett’s neutral stance connected continuity — “I want to beryllium successful,” he replied erstwhile asked if he preferred nan position quo — arsenic a not-so-subtle hint to shingle nan organizational snowfall globe.

Cincinnati backmost Joe Burrow throws a go-ahead touchdown walk pinch 1:34 to play, and Stefanski must go. Wait a minute, Stefanski’s discourtesy conscionable gained a first down. Maybe they’re playing for their co -- stop.

The Browns had six years to measure their coach. Grades are owed Monday morning, and they are based connected a assemblage of work.

Jimmy Watkins is simply a columnist for Cleveland.com. He provides unsocial perspectives and intricate reporting connected our section teams and their rivals. He joined america successful November 2022 arsenic nan rivalry hit writer, and his...