A former Super Bowl-winning coach and offensive architect of one of the most explosive units in NFL history believes the Cleveland Browns head coaching job is an opportunity worth jumping at.
Former St. Louis Rams head coach Mike Martz, who won Super Bowl XXXIV as the offensive coordinator and helped build the “Greatest Show on Turf,” said he sees upside in Cleveland’s situation and believes he could fix what’s haunted the organization for decades.
“I would take the Cleveland job in a heartbeat. And I mean that. The challenge is to come in there, and they’re hungry to win, which I think is awesome. You need to change the culture,” Martz said during an interview with Baskin and Phelps on 92.3 The Fan. “Kevin (Stefanski) started that. And I think I could solve that QB problem. You just need to pick the right guy. Maybe they have him. Maybe Sanders is the guy, I don’t know. You have to see him closer. I could resolve that issue on offense, in my mind.”
Martz has only been a head coach once, from 2000 to 2005 with the Rams. His most recent stint came with the San Diego Fleet of the now-defunct AAF.
Browns Holding Exhaustive Coach Search
Martz’s comments arrive as Cleveland continues an extensive search process to replace Kevin Stefanski. The Browns have interviewed a wide list of coaching candidates, drawing attention for a hiring approach described as one of the most demanding in the league. It has included requirements such as questionnaires, a personality test, and an essay, along with additional homework-style assignments for candidates who advance to a second interview.
The Browns have already begun second-round interviews with multiple finalists. Cleveland completed second interviews with Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and current defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Los Angeles Rams pass-game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase has also been viewed as a key contender. But his team is playing in the NFC Championship against the Seattle Seahawks, delaying his second in-person interview.
The search has not been without turbulence. Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel withdrew from the Browns’ process despite being in the mix for a second interview. Former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and the Browns scrapped a scheduled second interview after Minter felt his chances of landing a head coaching job were better elsewhere. He was named the Baltimore Ravens head coach shortly after pulling out.
Browns Exploring Option at QB Moving Forward
Whoever comes in as the next head coach of the Browns will inherit one of the NFL’s more complicated quarterback situations. Cleveland has Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson all under contract heading into next season.
Sanders started the final seven games of the year, throwing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions while going 3-4 in that stretch. But despite Sanders getting the late-season opportunity, Browns general manager Andrew Berry stopped short of endorsing him — or anyone else currently on the roster — when asked who would open next season as Cleveland’s starter.
“I think that’s both mentally, physically, playing the position. He’s still very much a work in progress like many rookie quarterbacks are. But I think we saw some really good things in terms of his playmaking, his accuracy, his ability to extend them with his feet,” Berry said. “Now that all being said, we’re going to do our work on the quarterback market. It’s too important of a position and it’s something that has to be solidified. I can’t sit here and tell you today whether the solution for or the starter in 2026 is internal or external.”
The Browns hold the No. 6 overall pick in the first round, as well as selection No. 24.
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