After a playoff run in 2023, the Browns came crashing down to a mediocre 3-14 last season. Naturally, people started side-eyeing head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry, wondering if their seats were starting to heat up. But team owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam? They didn’t flinch. No shakeups, no detours—just full steam ahead with the same duo in charge. It’s a bold move, and one that says more about the Haslams’ trust in the Browns’ HC and GM.

“Well, we sat here last year and Kevin was a two-time out of four years coach of the year and Andrew was regarded as one of the top executives in pro football at the age of 37 years old,” Jimmy Haslam said back in April this year. “So, I don’t think they forgot how to coach. I don’t think they forgot how to do personnel.” Fast forward to now, and the way things are shaping up, we can say that Stefanski and Berry’s future in Berea is safe. At least for this season. The reason?

Well, Haslam recently addressed his support for Stefanski and Berry, but with a twist. “We’re very supportive of Kevin and Andrew. Now, do they need to do better? Yeah, but so do Dee (Haslam) and I,” the Browns’ owner said as per 92.3 The Fan. Translation? The owner is betting on Stefanski and Berry for this season, sure. But in a hypothetical world, if things went south in the 2025 season? Expect Haslam to take a bold decision.

Over five seasons with Stefanski and Berry steering the ship, the Browns sit at a 40-44 record. Not terrible, sure. But it’s not exactly franchise-changing either. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It’s not just the track record we’re talking about here. Count Deshaun Watson’s contract, which was a “big swing-and-miss,” and Stefanski played a key role in Watson’s arrival in Berea. And it doesn’t stop here. Stefanski and Co. are amidst the quarterback conundrum this year as well. They’ve four QBs, sure. But not a legit QB.

Then there are off-field issues. Three of the Browns’ players—Quinshon Judkins, Mike Hall Jr., and Devin Bush Jr.—have found themselves amidst off-field complications. And yes, it could lead to NFL suspensions. So, is this a make-or-break year for the head coach and the GM? No doubt about it. But the real question is: Does Haslam see it that way? Well, the Browns’ owner has cleared his expectations for Stefanski and Berry. They need to do it better.

So yeah, in one way or another, it’d be safe to say that it is indeed a make-or-break year for the Browns’ current regime. After all, they’re coming with just three wins in the last season. “Listen, we got to do better than three,” Jimmy said, addressing his expectations for 2025 coming off 3-14. “To put a number on it, and I don’t think we will ever do that. Everybody — coaches, players, personnel, ownership, all — knows that 3-14 won’t cut it. We’ve got to do better. I think we’ll know what better looks like.”

Meanwhile, one debate just won’t go away in Cleveland—the quarterback situation. It’s been the constant thread through all the chaos. And they’ve their eyes set on another QB in the draft.

Jimmy Haslam pumps the brakes on Arch Manning rumors

Jimmy Haslam’s loyalty to Tennessee runs deeper than football and is a whole lot richer. The Browns’ owner has donated tens of millions to his alma mater. Back in 2020, Jimmy and Dee Haslam, along with multiple family members, donated $40 million gift to the business school. Then, in 2023, the Haslam family gave $10 million to expand the Emergency Department at the UT Medical Center. But when we talk about Tennessee, Haslam isn’t the only one with an NFL connection. Peyton Manning is in the mix as well.

Now, if we connect the dots, ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Rizzo’s recent statement kind of makes sense. It includes Manning’s nephew, Arch Manning. “I know he would not admit it, and I know it’s nothing that they want to talk about, but I’m telling you the thirst that Jimmy Haslam has for Arch Manning is unmatched. Unmatched.” He went on, “You know the connection. Haslam’s donated a ton of money to Tennessee. They have a good relationship with the Manning family.”

And just like that, the rumors started swirling that the Browns might draft Arch next year. The twist? It isn’t happening, or so it seems. Jimmy Haslam recently admitted that, “I think if you know the Manning family, I would bet that — and I don’t know Arch at all, OK — I bet he stays in college two years. So I don’t even think that’s worth discussing.” Translation?

The Browns’ owner expects Arch Manning to skip the 2026 NFL draft. No Arch Manning in the Browns’ QB room next year. At least, that’s what Haslam believes. Will he? Won’t he? We’ll see.