Ray Farmer, Mike Pettine

Browns GM Ray Farmer and head coach Mike Pettine are both on the hotseat heading into the finale.

(John Kuntz / Cleveland.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns staffers emerged from a meeting with coach Mike Pettine Friday morning feeling like he'll be fired after the season, multiple sources told cleveland.com.

The Browns close out the year Sunday against the Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium. The last four head coaches have been fired following a season-ending loss to the Steelers.

The sources said Pettine talked to Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and asked about his future and that of the coaching staff. He was told that a decision wouldn't be made until after the game and after a possible move in the personnel department on Monday.

In addition to Pettine, general manager Ray Farmer is also on the hot seat for the club's 3-12 record this season. In their two years together, Pettine and Farmer have gone 10-21, including losses in 17 of their last 20 games. If they lose to the Steelers, they will finished 1-5 against the AFC North, including losses of 30-9 to the Steelers and 37-3 to the Bengals.

Clearly, the Browns have fallen behind the division instead of closing the gap.

Several sources believe that Pettine and defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil will both be fired after their defense struggled all season. The Browns head into the game 26th in overall defense and 32nd against the run. They're 29th in points allowed, surrendering 26.9 points per game. It remains to be seen if offensive coordinator John DeFilippo will be given the opportunity to stay after the offense made strides this season.

If Haslam fires both Pettine and Farmer after saying in August that wouldn't blow the thing up, he will likely cite the downward trend of the team this season. When he made those remarks, the Browns were coming off a 7-9 season and optimistic about this year. He felt the team was still "directionally correct'' despite the fact it lost its last five games. He can't say the same about this year.

Pettine, who spent the bulk of his time this year helping coach the offense, acknowledged that his defense -- the major reason he was hired -- has been the biggest disappointment.

"It's been a source of frustration,'' he said. "It's tough for me, too, when that's my area of expertise and it's an area where we've fallen short, especially this year where I felt like we've overachieved offensively. If you look at exactly what you're saying, the roster, the investment, we've underachieved [on defense].

"We're not going to make excuses. It is a source of frustration, disappointment and something that myself and the defensive staff show up here every day to work and get corrected. Some areas we've gotten better and others we haven't."

Several defensive players have complained this season about the defense or the way they've been used, including outside linebacker Paul Kruger, who went from a team-high 11 sacks last year to only 2.5 this season.

He was vocal on Thursday about how the defense didn't adjust to the opponent this year.

"You can't play the same play every game and expect to have the same result because offenses are different,'' he said. "They have key standout players at different positions. I think that's one thing. Other than that, we've been in good situations. It's just a matter of us going out and getting it done. It's hard to say overall without really sitting down and thinking about it.''

He acknowledged that he didn't feel he was used properly.

"Personally, I probably wouldn't say so,'' he said. "I don't have too much more to say about it but I don't think I was utilized in the best way.''

One source said that Pettine should've jumped in to save the defense when it was floundering.

If Haslam does fire Pettine, he'll have plenty of competition for the best head coaching candidates in the NFL. As many as eight or nine teams could have vacancies, and the Browns will have to overcome their reputation for lack of job security. Pettine would be the third head coach Haslam has fired since he took over in 2012.

Candidates will also look closely at the uncertain quarterback position, with Pettine admitting Thursday that 'there are problems' with Johnny Manziel that need to be addressed in the offseason.



Related: Pettine admits Johnny Manziel has problems that need to be address in the offseason

O'Neil, who's been with Pettine for seven years, campaigned for Pettine to stay whether he's here or not. Pettine, meanwhile, acknowledged there will be changes in the staff if he stays.

"I think he's done an unbelievable job, and I've worked for some great coaches in my years in this profession,'' said O'Neil. "If you ask me and my two cents, stability is the answer. It's not cleaning the slate every couple years. Cleveland has been down that path. In my opinion, that's not the right way to go.

"Whether I'm here or not, whether the offensive coordinator is here or not or the whatever coach is here or not, Mike Pettine is the right guy for this organization and Mike Pettine is the right guy for this city."

It remains to be seen if Haslam agrees.