The Cleveland Browns could be preparing to go all in as they explore the possibility of landing John Harbaugh as their next head coach.
Harbaugh unexpectedly became available this week after being let go by the Baltimore Ravens, where he spent 18 seasons and compiled a 180-133 regular-season record. His tenure was highlighted by a Super Bowl XLVII victory.
Cleveland is hardly the most attractive landing spot. The Browns’ quarterback situation remains unsettled, and the team has managed just eight wins over the past two seasons. Still, Harbaugh does have personal ties to the city. In a 2018 interview, he acknowledged his family’s deep Cleveland roots.
“All of our family on my mom’s side is from Cleveland, and all of my family on my dad’s side is Browns fans. We all grew up Browns fans,” Harbaugh said.
Labbe: Browns Could Offer “Gruden-Style” Contract to Harbaugh
While sentiment alone may not be enough to sway him, Dan Labbe of cleveland.com believes the Browns could attempt to buy their way into serious contention by putting a massive contract on the table.
“All those Cleveland ties — they could maybe sell him on this defense,” Labbe said. “He said some great things about this defense during the season and was very complimentary of the Browns. The big thing is, we know this: Jimmy Haslam is not afraid to spend money. They could have John Harbaugh come in, and he could offer him a Jon Gruden-style contract that he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders — which I think was 10 years, $100 million. It was a huge number. Jimmy could offer that.”
The money would like take more than what Labbe mentioned. Harbaugh was making $16 million per season with the Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid makes $20 million per year. However, the point is that the Browns could offer a significant chunk of money and include long-term job security, as well as an increased role in the roster construction, to lure Harbaugh.
Browns Eyeing Mike McDaniel as Well
Harbaugh is not the only recently fired head coach the Browns are keeping an eye on. Cleveland is also interested in ex-Miami Dolphins skipper Mike McDaniel, who was let go on Thursday.
“McDaniel, 42, was Browns receivers coach in 2014 under then-offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, and the Browns have long admired his brilliant offensive mind,” Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com said. “He’s been on their radar for some time, and they will do their diligence on him now that he’s on the market.”
McDaniel fits the mold of someone who could come in and help the Browns revamp their offense. However, the team is casting a wide net in their search. Cleveland completed its first two interviews on Thursday, sitting down with offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Browns general manager Andrew Berry said that both will be in the discussion.
“Jim’s an outstanding football coach. We have a lot of respect for him, a lot of appreciation for him, and he has certainly earned the right for consideration,” Berry said. “And Tommy, he’s a very talented young coordinator. He’s held in very high regard, not just in college football, but across the NFL. But again, those are discussions that we have to continue to have.”
Browns Could Throw $100M Offer at Recently Fired Coach