After finishing with a miserable 5-12 record this season, the Cleveland Browns have decided to move on from head coach Kevin Stefanski on Monday morning.

The two-time Coach of the Year winner ended his time in Cleveland with a 45-56 record, including two playoff appearances in 2020 and 2023. Unfortunately, the team’s recent struggles over the past two seasons likely played a huge factor in the decision.

Now, general manager Andrew Berry and the front office must find his replacement. Here are three names Browns fans should keep an eye on this offseason.

One of the hottest names in this year’s coaching carousel is Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator Chris Shula, who has done an incredible job with the Rams' defense.

Shula, the grandson of legendary head coach Don Shula, is a key reason for Los Angeles’ 12-5 record this season. In 17 games this year, the Rams’ defense has allowed an average of 20.4 points per game, along with racking up a total of 47 sacks.

If the firing of Stefanski results in the team losing current defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Shula would be a perfect replacement for the defense, as EDGE Myles Garrett and tackle Mason Graham would benefit from his coaching. In addition to Shula addressing the defense, his ties to head coach Sean McVay and the Rams could lead to the Browns landing a terrific offensive coordinator to aid the struggling unit.

Similar to Shula, San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator Robert Saleh could fill the void if Schwartz is out of his job.

Prior to taking over the defense for the 49ers, Saleh spent four seasons as the head coach of the New York Jets. During his time with the organization, he held a 20-36 record, but many people within the NFL believe that the 46-year-old coach deserves a second chance as a head coach.

Saleh has done an outstanding job wherever he’s gone in terms of defensive production, and with his ties to head coach Kyle Shanahan, the highly-regarded coach could find an excellent coordinator to control the offensive efforts if hired.

Both Shula and Saleh would be ideal choices to take over the Browns’ defense in 2026, but what if Cleveland decides to promote the man who has turned the franchise’s unit into a powerhouse?

Since joining the organization in 2023, Schwartz has been a key contributor to the Browns' success, helping them make the playoffs two seasons ago. His dominant run continued into the 2025 season, as the Browns allowed an average of 283.6 yards per game. And with the recent additions of Graham and linebacker Carson Schwesinger, the Browns’ defense would be poised to be elite under Schwartz in 2026.

The 59-year-old coordinator has experience as a head coach, as he finished with a 29-51 record during his five-year stint with the Detroit Lions from 2009 to 2013. If he does receive a promotion, this could lead to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees keeping his position with the Browns, who showed plenty of promise as a play caller in 2025.