In the midst of an unpredictable head coach search, ESPN's Adam Schefter reveals who the Cleveland Browns top options are to fill the vacancy
The Cleveland Browns search for a new head coach has been a bit of a roller coaster ride, particularly over the last week, when two candidates dropped out of the race for the role.
With or without Mike McDaniel and Jesse Minter interviewing for the job, though, three other names seem to have risen to the forefront of Cleveland's list. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Browns have honed in on the trio of Jim Schwartz, Grant Udinski, or Nate Scheelhaase to be their next head coach.
"It seems like the Browns are looking at one of these young offensive minds, whether that's Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, or the Rams passing coordinator Nate Scheelhasse, or Jim Schwartz," Schefter said during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.
He went on to explain what a final decision could come down to for team brass.
"If you wanna keep that defense, the continuity of it, you can't hire another defensive coach, you gotta keep Jim Schwartz and he's gotta be the head coach. And these young offensive-minded head coaches, it's up to the Browns to determine when and if they're ready.
Cleveland has already had a second interview, in person with Schwartz, earlier this week. Udinski was in Berea for his in-person meeting on Friday and Scheelhaase is expected to also pay a visit to the team facility next week after the Rams play in the NFC Championship game this weekend.
The Browns have yet to fulfill the NFL's Rooney Rule, which requires every team making head coach or other high-profile position hires to hold in-person interviews with at least two minority of female candidates.
Scheelhaase will be one of those, and McDaniel was supposed to be the other. It's unclear at this time how Vice President of Football Operations and GM, Andrew Berry will ensure Cleveland fulfills the Rooney Rule. The team could also opt, instead, to pay a fine if they make a hire without abiding by the rule.
While there had been some panic from fans over the way the search had played out to this point, Schefter's comments reveal that the Browns' top options are still very much in play for them at this stage. Things could move quickly, though, over the course of the next five days or so.
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