The Cleveland Browns under Head Coach Kevin Stefanski had their 2023-2024 season end during wildcard weekend. The team suffered a dominant loss to the Houston Texans. While the season ended in an ugly showing on both sides of the ball, the fact that the Browns even made the playoffs was an accomplishment in itself. With drama regarding their starting quarterback, injuries, and recent letdowns, the team managed to battle in part due to their coach.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski got the team off to a solid 2-1 start with wins over a divisional rival and another conference opponent. He then had to start two new quarterbacks each of the next two games but managed to knock off the arguably best team in the league during the stretch. With a blend of guys at that position and across the entire field, the team sat at 7-3 after ten games.
Following two losses, the team was now on their fourth-string quarterback. This was no problem, as they won their first four games with the new guy under center, eventually resting starters in the last week of the season with the playoff seed already determined.
#Browns Joel Bitonio said Kevin Stefanski has built culture here. Hopefully playoffs is minimum moving forward. pic.twitter.com/pWdHKSTgah
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) January 14, 2024
Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski Managed 11 Wins with a Plethora of Injuries
Starting Point
The Browns finished with an 11-6 record. This could have potentially been 12-5 if they had played their starters in week 18. This was good for the five seed in a very strong conference and division this year.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski in his fourth season with the orange and brown tied for the most wins he has had in the regular season with the team. When he took over in 2020, he went 11-5. He added a playoff win and won coach of the year for the league. It was his first season as a professional coach, and he was outstanding in his role.
The next two seasons were underwhelming with records of 8-9 and 7-10, missing out on postseason action both years. With more injuries than any season he has had, he managed to make the most of a season in which guys could have checked out early.
Coach Stefanski Getting the Most from His Players
The Cleveland Browns and Head Coach Kevin Stefanski had a plethora of major injuries. Some occurred before the season even started back in August. Multiple players who would have seen snaps were injured before the season even started, including linebacker Jacob Phillips and wide receiver/kick returner Jakeem Grant Sr.
In week two, running back Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending leg injury. A devastating blow as he was considered the best player on the team. With the running game injury came offensive line injuries, with tackle Jack Conklin missing essentially the entire season as well. The Browns then lost their next two starting tackles as well. Not to mention a top defensive tackle in the middle of the season.
The reason why Kevin stefanski is COTY explained in one picture pic.twitter.com/r7o29qLurd
— Barbershop Breakroom (@BarberBreakroom) January 7, 2024
Safety injuries were also an issue with Rodney McLeod and Grant Delpit missing significant time. These position groups, in addition to quarterbacks one, two, and three dealing with injuries, made a postseason berth seem impossible.
The next-man-up mentality helped the team to the playoffs again under Head Coach Kevin Stefanski. If they keep the same mindset next year and receive a little help with injury luck, this team will be just as dangerous and back in the postseason once again.
Main Photo: Sam Greene/The Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK
