The Cleveland Browns announced Wednesday morning that they have signed head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry to contract extensions.
The team did not disclose any details regarding the terms of the deals as of Wednesday morning.
Both Stefanski and Berry were hired before the 2020 season. In their first season, they led the Browns to the playoffs for the first time in 17 seasons with an 11-5 record. This broke the NFL’s longest active playoff drought. (RELATED: Christian McCaffrey Signs Huge Extension with 49ers)
No one else we’d want leading the way
We’ve extended Coach Stefanski and AB!
📰 » https://t.co/IMH2Y15hDi pic.twitter.com/05KTsRVfjP
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) June 5, 2024
Cleveland defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round before barely falling short against the eventual AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round. This was Cleveland’s first playoff victory in 23 years, marking a new era for the franchise and earning Stefanski his first “Coach of the Year” honor.
BEREA, OHIO – MAY 22: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns talks with head coach Kevin Stefanski during an OTA offseason workout at their CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 28: Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 28, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images)
Stefanski has a 37-30 record through four seasons as the Browns head coach. This marks the franchise’s best winning percentage over a four-year span since 1986-1989.
Stefanski was awarded in February with his second Coach of the Year honor after leading the Browns to an 11-6 record in 2023 despite losing star quarterback Deshaun Watson to an injury for all but six games.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 22: Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry walks the field before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
BEREA, OHIO – MAY 30: Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns directs a drill during an OTA offseason workout at their CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 30, 2024 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
The Browns started five different quarterbacks in 2023, winning games with four of them and earning the Browns their first playoff berth since Stefanski and Berry took the reins.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry leading the Cleveland Browns,” Browns’ owners Jimmy and Dee Haslem said in a statement. “Since the day they were hired, each has worked tirelessly to help the Cleveland Browns win.”
