The hosts on the NFL station on Sirius radio are not given to superlatives.

Their comments are pretty measured, conservative and straight-laced, especially by today’s loose and raucous media standards. They say something outlandish about as often as the buzzards return to Hinckley.

So, then, it came as a surprise with what was uttered – in no uncertain terms — about the Browns, head coach Kevin Stefanski and quarterback Deshaun Watson early Sunday afternoon.

The hosts said that for the Browns to be successful, they are going to have to have great play from Watson. There’s no surprise there. But what was said after that was.

The hosts added that if Watson falters and it’s not because of an injury, then it would not be because of poor play by the quarterback. He’s too good for that to happen. It would instead be because of poor coaching by Stefanski, who, in essence, doubles as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. As such, if the Browns play poorly, then it likely will cost Stefanski his job.

We’ve mentioned that here on a number of occasions, and now that line of thinking – that opinion – is picking up steam elsewhere.

Thus, just as always seemed obvious to some, Stefanski is coaching for his job this season. The Browns didn’t sign Watson to a guaranteed $230 million contract so they could mis the playoffs. It’s why he’s shadowing Watson’s every move. He’s not trusting that immense responsibility to anyone else. If he gets fired, then he wants it to be for something he – not someone on his staff – did.

This is will be the ongoing main theme of this Browns season, and it will be intriguing to see how it plays out, step by step, day by day.

Steve King