By The Sports Desk December 8, 2025

CLEVELAND – The tremors started as quiet whispers in back hallways, but they have now erupted into a full-scale earthquake that is set to level the Cleveland Browns’ current regime. According to explosive new reports from league insiders, the days of Kevin Stefanski patrolling the sidelines in Cleveland are not just numbered—they are effectively over.

In a move that promises to send shockwaves through the NFL, owner Jimmy Haslam is reportedly preparing to terminate Stefanski’s contract and dismantle the offensive coaching staff, potentially within hours. But the real story isn’t just who is leaving; it is the bombshell revelation of who is walking through the door.

The Gruden Bombshell

Sources with direct knowledge of the situation have confirmed that Jon Gruden—the Super Bowl-winning coach and former Monday Night Football analyst—is the chosen architect for Cleveland’s offensive future. While initial speculation pointed to Gruden as a head coaching candidate, the prevailing plan is far more intriguing: elevating current Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz to Head Coach while installing Gruden as the Offensive Coordinator.

This “dream team” configuration addresses the Browns’ most glaring disparity. Under Schwartz, the defense has been an elite unit, with Myles Garrett chasing historic sack records and the secondary locking down opponents. Conversely, the offense under Stefanski has plummeted to the bottom of the league, a disjointed mess that has failed a revolving door of quarterbacks, from Joe Flacco to Kenny Pickett, Dylan Gabriel, and now, rookie Shedeur Sanders.

The Collapse of the Stefanski Era

To understand why this move is happening now, one must look at the sheer scale of the collapse. Stefanski, once the darling of the league and a Coach of the Year winner, has presided over a historic slide. Reports indicate the Browns have won just five of their last 36 games—a 5-31 stretch that suggests deep, systemic rot.

“The information we’ve uncovered is so explosive… it’s going to dominate NFL headlines for weeks,” insiders revealed. The breaking point appears to be the handling of Shedeur Sanders.

Drafted in the fifth round in a move that reportedly caused General Manager Paul DePodesta to resign in protest, Sanders was a “business decision” by Haslam—a star meant to fill seats in the new stadium. However, on the field, Sanders has been left to languish in what critics call an “antiquated” and “prehistoric” offensive system. Stefanski’s refusal to adapt his scheme to Sanders’ skillset, coupled with public deflections of blame, reportedly sealed his fate.

Why Gruden? Why Now?

Jimmy Haslam is betting the house on Jon Gruden’s reputation as a “QB Whisperer.” Gruden’s track record with quarterbacks like Rich Gannon and Derek Carr is the blueprint Haslam wants for Sanders. The vision is simple: unleash Schwartz to continue his dominance on defense without the burden of a failing offense, and give Gruden the keys to build a modern, aggressive attack tailored specifically to Sanders’ arm talent and football IQ.

“This isn’t about forcing a young quarterback into some rigid, outdated offensive philosophy,” sources noted. “This is about building an offense around what your quarterback does best.”

The DePodesta Factor

The report also sheds light on the mysterious departure of Paul DePodesta. It is now believed the analytics guru wanted “absolutely nothing to do” with drafting Sanders, foreseeing the media circus and the offensive line’s inability to protect him. When Haslam overruled him—prioritizing jersey sales and stadium buzz over football analytics—DePodesta walked away, leaving Haslam with total control.

The Timeline

The only remaining question is when. Sources suggest the timing hinges on Sunday’s performance. A blowout loss could trigger a “Black Monday” firing immediately. However, the more likely scenario sees Stefanski finishing the season, with the firing executed minutes after the final whistle. This would allow Gruden to enter the building immediately, utilizing the weeks before the official offseason program to evaluate the roster and begin installing his complex system.

A Final Roll of the Dice

For Browns fans who have endured decades of “rebuilding,” this news brings a mix of anxiety and adrenaline. It is a vintage Jimmy Haslam move: impulsive, high-profile, and undeniably risky. But with a new stadium on the horizon and a fan base nearing open revolt, the status quo was no longer an option.

Cleveland is about to change. The Stefanski experiment has failed. The Gruden and Schwartz era is on the doorstep. Buckle up, Cleveland—it’s going to be a wild ride.