It is mid-January in Berea, and the air feels heavy. Another 5-12 season is in the books. Kevin Stefanski, a man who gave this city two playoff appearances and a sense of stability we hadn't felt since the 80s, is gone. Fired. Now, the Cleveland Browns rumors news cycle is spinning at a dizzying pace as Andrew Berry tries to navigate what many are calling the least attractive head coaching vacancy in the NFL.
Honestly? It's a bit of a disaster.
But that's the Browns. We live for the chaos, the "what-ifs," and the inevitable heartbreak of a $230 million contract that refuses to go away. If you're looking for the sugar-coated version of where this team is headed, you’re in the wrong place. We're looking at a roster with a dominant defense led by Myles Garrett and an offense that basically looks like a construction site after a tornado.
The Search for a New Leader: Who Actually Wants This Job?
The coaching search is the biggest domino. Andrew Berry has been clear: the new coach will have "100 percent" say in the quarterback room. That sounds great on paper. In reality? It’s a tough sell. Bleacher Report recently ranked the Browns' job dead last among the eight openings this cycle. Why? Because the cap situation is a nightmare—over $15 million in the red—and the roster is aging in all the wrong places.
Yet, the names are flying.
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- Grant Udinski: The 30-year-old "QB savant" from the Jaguars. He's the hot name right now. A protégé of Kevin O’Connell, he’s young, brilliant, and represents the "new age" of NFL coaching.
- Jim Schwartz: Could the Browns just promote from within? Schwartz has the defense humming. He’s a veteran. But does he want to tether his second chance at a head coaching gig to this offensive mess?
- The Wildcards: We’ve heard whispers of Mike McDaniel (if he leaves Miami), Todd Monken, and even the "Coach Prime" Deion Sanders rumors—though that last one feels more like a fever dream than a football move.
The Shedeur Sanders vs. Deshaun Watson Dilemma
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the $230 million elephant.
Deshaun Watson hasn't played a meaningful snap of football since October 2024. He’s had two Achilles surgeries. Andrew Berry says he expects Watson to be on the roster in 2026. Of course he does—cutting him would be financial suicide for the franchise. But "on the roster" and "starting" are two very different things.
While Watson was rehabbing, Shedeur Sanders happened.
The Browns took Sanders at No. 144 in the 2025 draft, and he started the final seven games of the season. He went 3-4. He looked like a rookie—mistakes were made, and he took some brutal sacks—but he also showed more life than this offense has seen in years. He’s mobile. He’s confident. And most importantly, he’s cheap.
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Mary Kay Cabot reported that Watson looked "the most talented" during a brief practice window in December. That might be true. But talent doesn't matter if you aren't on the field. The buzz in Berea suggests a wide-open competition. You've got Shedeur, a returning Watson, and maybe even Dillon Gabriel (who went 1-5 as a starter) all fighting for one spot.
The 2026 NFL Draft: No. 6 is the Magic Number
The Browns landed the No. 6 overall pick. After trading back with Jacksonville last year and snagging Mason Graham (who was a beast on the interior this year), Berry has some ammunition.
What do they do at six?
PFF thinks they should go with Jordyn Tyson, the Arizona State wide receiver. It makes sense. Cleveland’s receiving corps had the second-worst PFF grade in the league last year. Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore haven't exactly been the world-beaters we hoped for.
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Then there's the offensive line. It’s "aging and porous," to put it lightly. Joel Bitonio is 34 and considering retirement. Wyatt Teller is a free agent. Ethan Pocic is coming off a torn Achilles. If the Browns don't use that No. 6 pick on a cornerstone tackle or a game-changing wideout, whoever is playing quarterback won't last until October.
Who's Packing Their Bags?
The roster purge is coming. It has to.
- David Njoku: This one hurts. But Harold Fannin Jr. emerged as a legitimate threat last year, and Njoku is an expensive veteran on a team that needs to save every penny.
- Jerome Ford: With Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson in the backfield, Ford is the odd man out.
- Wyatt Teller: He’s been a warrior, but he’s likely going to be priced out.
- Devin Bush: Despite a 125-tackle season, he’s a free agent and likely to seek a bigger payday than Cleveland can offer.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you're a Browns fan trying to keep your sanity, here is what actually matters over the next six weeks:
- Watch the Offensive Coordinator hires: Even if the Browns hire a defensive-minded head coach like Schwartz, the OC choice will tell you everything about their plan for Shedeur Sanders.
- The March 18th Cap Deadline: The Browns have to get under the cap. Expect massive restructures or surprising "June 1st" designations for veterans you thought were safe.
- Pro Day Visits: Keep a close eye on where Andrew Berry travels. If he's at the Pro Days for the top offensive tackles (like those at Texas or LSU), expect the No. 6 pick to be used on protection, not a "flashy" playmaker.
The 2026 season is a crossroads. This isn't just about winning games; it's about whether the "swing and miss" on Watson finally strikes the franchise out for the rest of the decade. The rumors are loud, but the reality is simple: fix the line, find a coach who isn't afraid of the spotlight, and let the kids play.