Here are 10 quick thoughts following the Browns’ 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Huntington Bank Field:
1) I never thought I would say this, but I think Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and General Manager Andrew Berry need to be brought back next year. It’s not because they’ve necessarily done a great job overall, for they really haven’t, but because this rookie class is intriguing and I don’t think it is the right time pull the rug out from under them. It would be worse to tear it up and start over than to give them one more chance to make it work.
2) But having said that, owner Jimmy Haslam has to make it crystal clear to Berry and Stefanski that the team has to make major strides in 2026 in every single area, especially in winning games and stacking the roster with young talent. Three wins for two straight seasons? That absolutely, positively can’t happen again.
3) Haslam has to ask Berry a question and make a point with Stefanski. For Berry, it is this: “If you can put together a draft class like this, then why couldn’t you have done it to any of the previous years that you’ve been here?” For Stefanski, it is this: “If you are the ‘quarterback whisperer’ that everyone says you are, then you need to prove it by getting in the quarterback’s ear and tutoring him, and giving him every bit of information that you possibly can about the position, because your ability to keep your job will be almost completely dependent upon how well that quarterback plays. Any team it’s only as good as its quarterback.”
Nah this is an insane throw from shedeur sanders sheesh pic.twitter.com/XsrUpVxz13
— John (@iam_johnw) December 21, 2025
4) Haslam also has to ask nigh men why the special teams are so bad. The Browns couldn’t get the placement down on a field-goal try at the end of the half, and as it turns out, that might’ve been the cost of a game is it overtime. It is one thing every single week with that group of guys.
5) In the case of Stefanski, I really like the fact that this team has continued to play hard and hasn’t quit on him. That says a lot about what the players feel about him. And that is so very important. If you can get players to play for you in this type of situation, then you should be able to get them to play for you in big moments that will hopefully happen down the road.
6) if the Buffalo Bills are one of the best teams in the AFC, and I truly believe that they are and everyone else says that they are, then how far behind them are the Browns? It’s more than three points, but how many points is it?
7) I want to see that kind of performance next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, another team that is very well thought of in the AFC. The Browns can’t be a one-hit wonder with their improvement.
8) No assessment of any Browns game is complete without some conversation about the quarterback. I thought Shedeur Sanders made some big strides, but the one thing he continues to struggle with is getting rid of the ball and resigning himself to coming back to play the next play. Again, that is something that Stefanski can work with him and teach him. He has all the other requisites skills, in my opinion.
9) Once more, give the Browns fans credit. It was sunny, but cold, and even with the fact the team continues to struggle for a second straight season, they continue to show up and support it. They are the best fans in all of sports, no doubt about it.
10) Last but certainly not least, for this item should’ve been put way closer to the top, but running back Quinshon Judkins came out of his injury situation about as good as can be expected. He suffered a broken fibula and a dislocated ankle, but it could’ve been a whole lot worse. He has been just outstanding. The Browns found a real gem in him, and for them to do anything next year, he needs to be healthy.
Steve King
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