The Cleveland Browns didn’t just miss on one head coaching candidate when John Harbaugh chose the New York Giants, they lost out on two.
Cleveland will never get the chance to sell Harbaugh on a move west inside the AFC North Division from the Baltimore Ravens to Northeast Ohio, as he agreed to lead the Giants on Thursday, January 15 before taking any other interviews.
Soon after, NFL insiders reported that Harbaugh was taking another prominent name from the cycle with him to New York as his offensive coordinator.
“Former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is expected to join John Harbaugh in New York with the Giants, per source,” Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported via X. “This has always been the plan.”
Monken interviewed with the Browns for their open head coaching position earlier this month. But the former Ravens duo, which went 4-2 against Cleveland in the regular season since Monken joined Harbaugh’s staff in Baltimore three years ago, now moves to the NFC East Division to become the biannual problem of three different teams.
Browns Have Interviewed/Will Interview at Least 7 Head Coaching Candidates
GettyCleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Despite the now reduced field of candidates, the Browns still have several quality options from which to potentially choose.
The most accomplished people Cleveland has interviewed to this point in the process are its own defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel.
The Browns have also already sat down with their offensive coordinator Tommy Rees as well as Cincinnati Bengals OC Dan Pitcher and Seattle Seahawks DC Aden Durde.
Cleveland has interviews with Los Angeles Chargers DC Jesse Minter and Jacksonville Jaguars OC Grant Udinski scheduled for later this week.
The Browns have also requested an interview with Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and have interest in Rams DC Chris Shula, Buffalo Bills OC Joe Brady and Green Bay Packers DC Jeff Hafley.
Browns Predicted to Hire Mike McDaniel as Next Head Coach
GettyFormer Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel.
Schwartz would be a sensible hire, as the Browns are reportedly interested in a head coach who would be willing to keep Schwartz on as defensive coordinator — assuming Schwartz himself doesn’t get the job.
However, ESPN’s Dan Graziano predicted earlier this week that McDaniel will ultimately land the position.
“All of the intel we have on this one says the Browns are looking for an offensive-minded head coach who won’t mind keeping Jim Schwartz as the defensive coordinator,” Graziano wrote. “That makes me wonder why they don’t give the head coach job to Schwartz, an outcome I believe is also possible here.”
“Cleveland’s perpetually challenging quarterback situation could make this job a tough sell, but McDaniel is quirky, creative and confident,” Graziano continued. “And he had success in a challenging QB situation during his first two seasons in Miami. It’s not tough to imagine the Browns’ front office wanting to tap into McDaniels’ ideas about how to design and run an offense.”
Browns Lose Out on Second HC Candidate After John Harbaugh Chooses Giants