The Cleveland Browns head coaching search appears to have narrowed to two final candidates based on new developments and insider reports.
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski withdrew his name from consideration as of Monday, January 26 after that organization upped his salary and allowed him to remain part of the Buffalo Bills‘ search for a new sideline leader.
That makes Udinski the third candidate to withdraw his name from consideration for the Browns’ vacancy following the same decision by Mike McDaniel, who did so to take the OC job with the Los Angeles Chargers, and Jesse Minter, who pulled out just before the Baltimore Ravens named him their new head coach.
Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula also declined an initial interview.
Those developments leave four candidates who have interviewed at least once in the running for the top position in Cleveland: Rams pass game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase, Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and run game coordinator/running backs coach Anthony Lynn of the Washington Commanders.
However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter told “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday that his reporting indicates the job is down to two candidates.
“The two guys out front are Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and [Cleveland’s] own defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz,” Schefter said. “I think those are the two choices.”
Nathan Scheelhaase Could Go From Rams Pass Game Coordinator to Head Coach With Browns
GettyNathan Scheelhaase, former Illinois QB and current Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator.
Scheelhaase, 35 years old, fits the profile of what the majority of NFL analysts believed the Browns wanted coming into this coaching cycle.
“Scheelhaase checks so many boxes for Browns. Former quarterback, offensive oriented, has experience calling plays, been with successful NFL [organization],” Tom Withers of the Associated Press posted to X Monday. “Don’t think his age is — or should be — an issue at all. We’ll see. The good thing is that a decision is closer than ever.”
Cleveland brass flew to Los Angeles to meet with Scheelhaase for his second interview on Monday, less than 24 hours after the Rams fell four points shy of a Super Bowl berth via a loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game.
Browns Could Alienate Jim Schwartz by Passing Him Over for Head Coaching Job
GettyCleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Schwartz, 59, who has been the Browns’ DC over the past three seasons and led the team to the No. 1 overall defense in 2023 and No. 4 unit in 2025, has already interviewed for the job twice.
Several credible reports from team and league insiders indicate Cleveland’s firm desire and intention to keep Schwartz on staff due to his success and relationships with several of the defense’s top players.
That could mean hiring him as a head coach, though it may also mean bringing in a young offensive mind like Scheelhaase willing to keep Schwartz on as the defensive coordinator and allow him to keep running the unit as he sees fit. Scheelhaase’s potential willingness to do so could put him a step in front of Schwartz given the Browns’ desperate need to rebuild the offense.
However, Dianna Russini of The Athletic offered a more curious take on Schwartz’s future in Cleveland if he doesn’t land the head coaching position.
“If the Browns opt to hire a young offensive mind like Nathan Scheelhaase, I’d be interested to see what happens to DC Jim Schwartz,” Russini posted to X Monday.
Browns Narrow Coaching Search to 2 Options After Grant Udinski News: Report