The Cleveland Browns‘ 27-20 loss to the New York Jets reignites speculation about the job security of head coach Kevin Stefanski. At 2-7 record, it’s not hard to envision that his time in Cleveland could be drawing near to a close. According to one analyst, that change should happen sooner rather than later.

According to Tony Rizzo, the Browns need to move on from Stefanski immediately, and he already has a replacement in mind. Rizzo floated one of the boldest ideas you’re likely to hear: bring in the legendary Bill Belichick, who is coaching in the ACC with North Carolina on a $50 million contract.

”Would you take Bill Belichick coaching the Browns? I’d go pick him up in North Carolina. He’s not gonna be the GM. I think this version of Bill will be OK with it. I’d take coach Belichick in a heartbeat,” Rizzo said.

If Cleveland were to somehow land Belichick, it would undoubtedly be one of the biggest coaching moves in NFL history. As much as he is one of the greatest football minds ever, Belichick’s recent record suggests his best days may be behind him.

His need for control in every aspect of team-building resulted in several poor personnel decisions that contributed to the decline of New England post, Tom Brady. It does not end here; there are some reports claiming that his decisions in North Carolina were influenced by his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson.

Furthermore, Belichick’s record after Tom Brady paints a different story. Since Brady left the team, his teams had largely struggled to stay competitive. Added to reports of deteriorating relationships with players and staff, one may fairly raise some questions whether his leadership style still resonates.

Of course, Belichick’s status as a football icon is unquestioned, but perhaps the Browns would be better served with another candidate, one that’s fresher and more modern, rather than living in the past.

Tony Rizzo isn’t one of those preaching patience. After Sunday’s defeat, the longtime analyst didn’t hold back, calling for the Browns to part ways with Stefanski. “Come out of the bye week and that is what you produce? Folks, goodbye,” Rizzo offered on The Really Big Show.

“Goodbye, gonezo. If there was any doubt that the coaching staff was coming back, all you had to do was watch yesterday’s game…High schools are laughing at you. Kevin Stefanski has to wear this, it’s on him, his team is so poorly coached.”

While frustration amongst analysts and the fanbase is understandable, Cleveland’s front office seems content to stay the course, for now.

Browns final call on Stefanski

Per Cleveland.com insider Mary Kay Cabot, Stefanski’s job remains safe despite the team’s struggles. ”I think Kevin Stefanski is 100% totally safe,” Cabot said on the Orange and Brown Talk podcast.

“I think that Jimmy Haslam indicated even at the NFL annual meeting that Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski were going to be breaking in rookie quarterbacks this year, and this was not the season in which they were going to have their feet held to the fire.”

From her comments we can conclude that the Browns is looking for long-term solution. Stefanski’s overall record with the Browns stands at 42-51, but remember that he did give the franchise its first playoff win in almost three decades in his first season. That early promise has now given way to inconsistency, penalty problems, and stalled growth on offense, particularly evident in this year’s campaign.

A major reason behind the Browns’ struggles has been the instability at quarterback. Rookie Dillon Gabriel, thrust into a starting role following the trade of veteran Joe Flacco, has experienced growing pains typical of a first-year starter.

Against the Jets, Gabriel was sacked six times but showed flashes of potential late in the game. ”I really don’t think Kevin’s in any trouble right now,” Cabot added. ”Maybe they’ll re-evaluate after the season.”

While the Browns’ record stands abysmal, it would seem the leadership wants to continue to give time to Stefanski to develop his young roster. The Berry-Stefanski regime was once hailed as the beginning of a stable, competitive chapter in Cleveland, but that optimism has eroded amid recurring lapses on offense and undisciplined play.

For now, at least, that $50 million dream of a Bill Belichick return remains just that.