Scheelhaase was interviewed for hours on Monday in Los Angeles, fueling speculation that the 35-year-old could be the team’s next franchise leader. The Bills’ interest amid their own coaching upheaval adds a layer of complexity to Cleveland’s pursuit, even as Scheelhaase continues to draw consideration.
The Browns currently have four candidates standing: ex-Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, current Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, former Chargers coach Anthony Lynn, and Scheelhaase. The choice facing Cleveland pits veteran experience (Monken or Schwartz) against youth and upside in Scheelhaase, with talk of a potential pairing of Monken and Schwartz surfacing as a possibility.
Earlier in the process, the Browns broadened their net to include former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and 30-year-old offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, but both pulled out—McDaniel before in-person interviews, Udinski after his interview. McDaniel is headed to the Chargers as their offensive coordinator, while Udinski returns to Jacksonville to take OC duties there.
There were additional misses along the way, including no meeting with former Ravens coach John Harbaugh and Jesse Minter withdrawing to pursue Baltimore’s opening. Browns general manager Andrew Berry has stressed an open-minded approach, insisting the search consider a wide range of archetypes and emphasizing that the right fit matters more than any single profile, a point he underscored by noting Kevin Stefanski’s path and success.
