CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns have fired coach Rob Chudzinski following one season, which started out promising but ended with a seven-game losing streak.
Chudzinski had only been in place since Jan. 11, when the Ohio native and lifelong Browns fan was hired for his dream position by owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner. The Browns started 4-5, but collapsed in the final two months — dropping 10 of their last 11 games –and the organization decided Sunday night to cut ties before heading into a second season with Chudzinski.
Cleveland ended its season with a 20-7 loss in Pittsburgh.
Chudzinski had plenty to deal with as a rookie coach, including an unsettled quarterback situation as the Browns were forced to use three starters because of injuries.
Le’Veon Bell ran for 90 yards and a touchdown as Pittsburgh drubbed the Browns, but still missed out on the final AFC playoff sport when San Diego beat Kansas City, 27-24 in overtime.
Ben Roethlisberger passed for 179 yards and a touchdown against two interceptions as the Steelers (8-8) won their third straight to avoid the franchise’s first losing season since 2003. The victory also continued a furious second-half rally by the Steelers, who went 6-2 over the season’s final eight weeks to fuel an improbable run at the AFC’s final postseason spot.
Jason Campbell completed 23 of 40 passes for 240 yards with a touchdown for the Browns.