Browns’ Kevin Stefanski: ‘I’m Smart Enough Not to Worry About’ NFL Hot Seat Rumors | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski says he’s not worried about his job security after his team’s 2-8 start to the season.

“I think probably because I grew up listening to (Philadelphia radio), I’m smart enough not to worry about outside noise,” Stefanski said, according to ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi. “I understand that’s part of this gig. That’s life in the big city. My only focus is to get this team ready to win on Thursday night. That’s all.”

Stefanski was named the NFL’s Coach of the Year after leading the Browns to a Wild Card appearance in 2023.

The Browns are currently preparing for a Thursday night matchup with the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers, who will enter the game on a five-game winning streak.

The Browns, meanwhile, enter the game having suffered their seventh loss in eight games following a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Cleveland tied the game at 14 in the third quarter, but couldn’t contain the Saints’ offense in the fourth. The Browns defense looked particularly vulnerable on the 33-yard touchdown run from Taysom Hill that set up the game-deciding play.

Jameis Winston threw for 395 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers, but the quarterback’s performance wasn’t enough to make up for the lack of late pushback.

That disheartening loss sparked rumors of former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel’s presence on the sidelines of Caesars Superdome.

The Browns brought Vrabel on as a consultant before the 2024 season. Vrabel has already been the subject of head coaching this season after reportedly interviewing for head coaching roles with the Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers.

That buzz was renewed Sunday when Vrabel was first spotted on the sidelines during a Browns road game, but Stefanski said Monday that nothing had changed about Vrabel’s role with the team.

“Vrabes is involved in a lot of what we do,” Stefanski said. “He’s at home games, he was able to come to this one. He listens to the conversations with us. He’s a great resource for me, on game day, Monday through Friday. So he’ll continue to do that.”

Stefanski, who has led the Browns to two winning seasons and two playoff appearances since joining the franchise in 2020, signed an extension along with general manager Andrew Berry ahead of the 2024 season. The team did not disclose the length of the deal.