The Cleveland Browns head coach search took another turn as a third candidate dropped out of the running in Jacksonville Jaguars OC Grant Udinski
Another candidate is no longer in the mix for the Cleveland Browns head coach job. According to multiple reports, Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski has bowed out of consideration for Cleveland's vacancy.
The 30-year-old is reportedly continuing to pursue the Buffalo Bills head coach role, but if he doesn't get that job is expected to return to Jacksonville next season with an increase in pay expected.
Udinski was considered one of the finalists for the Browns head coach job, along with Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, who the team is interviewing on Monday.
The team's current defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is also in the mix, as is former Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken, all of whom had second interviews with Cleveland over the last week.
The Browns also visited with former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn over the weekend, as well. That was the first conversation the two parties had.
After Cleveland concludes its conversation with Scheelhaase on Monday, they will be in the clear to make a hire as soon as it's ready. The interviews with Lynn and Scheelhaase will officially make them compliant with the NFL's Rooney Rule.
As for Udinski, he represents the third candidate to drop out of the running for the Browns' job.
Last week, former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was scheduled for an in-person interview, but canceled one day before. He's expected to take the Chargers OC job.
The same thing happened with former Chargers DC Jesse Minter, who dropped out on Wednesday night, prior to a second interview on Thursday to accept the Baltimore Ravens job.
Udinski is viewed as one of the brightest, up-and-coming offensive minds in the game right now, especially after helping Liam Coen transform the Jags offense into a top-five unit in terms of points per game, in their first season at the helm.
Prior to joining Coen in Jacksonville, Udinski worked under Kevin O'Connell on the Minnesota Vikings staff, serving as the assistant OC and assistant QB coach in his final year there in 2024.
While the Browns are on the brink of choosing their next head coach, it's now clear that it won't be Udinski.