Who Is The Mysterious Coach Eyeing A Trade To Bears? Here’s The Theory
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is one of the more renowned national insiders for the NFL. He’s had accurate information on various topics for a long time. That is why it was interesting when he began pressing the idea that the Chicago Bears should seriously consider trading for their next head coach. Rather than take their chances again in the pool of available names, none of which are proven, the organization should aim high by going after somebody with an established track record like Kyle Shanahan, John Harbaugh, or Mike McDaniel. Then Florio revealed that another head coach texted him asking why he wasn’t mentioned on that list.
That immediately led to tons of speculation about who it might be. I, too, obsessed over the question for days. After hours of thinking about it, I’m ready to pose a theory. I believe the unnamed head coach was Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns. Now, before people create a firestorm of questions about why, rest assured I came prepared with an argument. In my estimation, there are four key reasons it was likely him.
Stefanski is trapped in a crappy QB situation
When he first arrived, Cleveland handed him a pretty good player, getting to work with Baker Mayfield. However, injuries slowed him down and seemed to spook the organization. This led to the blockbuster trade for Deshaun Watson from Houston, who has been a complete disaster since arriving. He’s played 19 games in three seasons, thrown for 3300 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Worst of all, his contract is basically immovable for the next two years unless the Browns are willing to eat $172 million or $99 million in dead cap. This means they are stuck with him. The only other option is Jameis Winston, who can be productive but also has seven interceptions in five games already. Getting a chance to start fresh with a young quarterback like Caleb Williams has to seem appealing to Stefanski.
The roster is aging
It is hard not to feel like the window for Cleveland is closing. Their roster was the 9th-oldest coming into 2024, with several of their core players in or approaching their 30s.
- Joel Bitonio – 33
- Wyatt Teller – 30
- Jack Conklin – 30
- Dalvin Tomlinson – 30
- Nick Chubb – 28
- David Njoku – 28
- Myles Garrett – 28
They may have two seasons of realistic chances at a run left without a significant youth infusion before things fall apart. Stefanski may not wish to stick around for that.
Cleveland may have quietly acquired his replacement
There has been a legitimate undercurrent of speculation in Cleveland that the organization already has plans to replace Kevin Stefanski. Why? It stems from the decision to hide former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel as a consultant before this season. In recent weeks, he’s been shown having a greater and greater presence on the sideline. He went to Ohio State and was born in Akron, Ohio. The idea of him coming home with his championship pedigree to save the Browns is an easy story for their ownership to fall in love with. Stefanski probably senses it, too. He’s not stupid. Rather than suffer the indignation of getting slowly phased out, anybody with self-respect would seek a more respectable way out of town.
He has connections to the Chicago Bears
This element is easily the most important. Stefanski started in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings in 2006 as an assistant to then-head coach Brad Childress. One year prior, Warren was named the team’s Chief Administrative Officer. Both worked with the organization until 2019, when Stefanski left for Cleveland and Warren for the Big Ten. That means they have known each other for 13 years. Warren prefers experienced coaches, and it sounds like the Chicago Bears want someone with an offensive background to work with Williams. Stefanski checks each of those boxes. The fact the president already knows him personally only adds to the appeal.