After Kevin Stefanski’s departure, the Cleveland Browns are narrowing down their head coaching search. They have interviewed a list of candidates, but after the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive coordinator’s surprise move, who was one of the top candidates for the Browns HC position, the picture has changed a bit.
Who Has A Browns Reporter Revealed Are The Top Four Candidates For the Browns’ HC Job?
As a result of that, now only four remaining candidates are close to getting the Browns’ head-coaching role.
After Grant Udinski’s decision, Browns reporter Daniel Oyefusi named four candidates who remained to replace Stefanski.
On Jan. 26, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Udinski’s decision on X. He wrote, “Jaguars OC Grant Udinski has informed the Browns that he is removing himself from consideration for their HC position, per a source.”
We will discuss why the Jaguars OC took that decision, but after the news hit Cleveland, the Browns reporter Oyefusi said, “Remaining finalists: DC Jim Schwartz, Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken and Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase.” He added, “Cleveland also interviewed Commanders run game coordinator/running backs coach Anthony Lynn over the weekend.”
Remaining finalists: DC Jim Schwartz, Ravens OC Todd Monken and Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase.
Cleveland also interviewed Commanders run game coordinator/running backs coach Anthony Lynn over the weekend. https://t.co/sCYYr7L9lD
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) January 26, 2026
Jim Schwartz stands as the only candidate already inside the building. His defensive track record is legitimate, but elevating him wouldn’t exactly create excitement. After an offseason filled with talk about dynamic offensive minds, this move would feel more like sticking with comfort than making a statement.
Whereas Anthony Lynn brings a different type of resume. He has already sat in the head coach’s chair with the Chargers and has been part of productive offensive staffs over the years. That experience matters. Still, when stacked against other names tied to cutting-edge offenses, he comes across more as a reliable veteran option than the franchise-changing hire.
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To talk about the third coach on the list, Todd Monken, his situation is tricky. He has options, and some may offer familiarity and stability rather than the pressure of leading a team. Even if Cleveland offers him control, there’s a real chance he chooses the environment he knows over stepping into a more formidable, top-job challenge.
And lastly, Nate Scheelhaase can land a job, but with a gamble. He is connected to one of the league’s more creative offensive systems and is early in his coaching rise. That means projection, not proof.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported that the team seemed to be narrowing its focus to either Udinski or Scheelhaase. With things now shifting, the path appears fully open for Scheelhaase to emerge as the clear option.
But if he develops the way Cleveland hopes, they could secure a long-term offensive leader instead of recycling experience. It’s the riskiest path, but also the one with the biggest payoff.
The Jaguars’ offensive coordinator could have also been on this list, but he has decided to move on for two reasons.
Two Major Reasons Why Jaguars Coach Grant Udinski Pulled Out of the Browns Head Coach Race
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero first reported the news about Udinski pulling out of the Browns HC race. But he also revealed two reasons why the Jaguars’ OC made that decision.
First, the Jaguars want to retain their OC for the future. “Udinski has a new deal in place with Jacksonville that will bump his pay for next season,” Pelissero said. This is the first primary reason.
Udinski has signed a new contract with Jacksonville that extends his time with the team through the 2026 season and includes a salary bump compared to his previous deal.
Jacksonville’s offense operated without Udinski on the headset for play calls in his first year, as Liam Coen kept control of that responsibility. Still, Udinski’s influence showed up in the results.
The Jaguars finished tied for sixth in scoring at 27.7 points per game and ranked 11th in total offense with 338.6 yards per game. The group caught fire late in the year, as Jacksonville averaged 32.8 points per game from Week 9 through Week 18, the second-highest mark in the NFL over that stretch.
Trevor Lawrence’s development was one of the biggest takeaways. The quarterback delivered the most productive season of his career, throwing 29 touchdown passes and accounting for 38 total scores. That total placed him third across the NFL, behind Matthew Stafford’s 46 and Josh Allen’s 39.
Udinski’s coaching journey has moved quickly. He broke into the NFL with the Carolina Panthers in 2020, then joined the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, continuing a steady climb up the ladder in a short span.
Meanwhile, the second reason behind his pulling out of this is that he is eyeing a head coaching job at the Buffalo Bills. The NFL reporter, Pelissero, also added, “The Jaguars are allowing him to continue pursuing the Bills’ HC job.”
The Bills shared an update about Udinski via their official website: “Buffalo interviewed Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski on Sunday.” But he will face tough competition with the former New York Giants HC Brian Daboll. Let’s see if Udinski could land a job in Buffalo.
