5 potential Cleveland Browns’ offensive coordinator candidates if Jim Schwartz is named as the next head coach
If the Browns move forward with Jim Schwartz, nailing the offensive coordinator hire will be as important.
The Cleveland Browns are nearly three weeks into their head coaching search after moving on from Kevin Stefanski. Second interviews are taking place this week and a new head coach is likely to be named next week.
Cleveland started the week by interviewing defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz for a second time for the opening. Schwartz is already the head coach of the defense and has a lot of players on the team pulling for him. The Browns are likely weighing going with Schwartz or going with a young offensive mind.
If it’s Schwartz, the most important task he’ll have is naming an offensive coordinator. A very crucial hire would be swinging and here are a few names that could potentially fit that role.
Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase
The rise of Scheelhaase from Iowa State to now getting head coaching interviews is a cool one. Scheelhaase is one of the only non-coordinators getting looked at for head coach openings. Scheelhaase has been requested by the Browns to interview for a second time. If the Browns were to hire Schwartz, the best move they could make is to bring in Scheelhaase as their offensive coordinator. That would take Scheelhaase not landing any of the other jobs. Would be a promotion for him to get play-calling duties with no path there for the Rams right now.
Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski
While it’s not likely, this is a young, splash hire if the Browns can make it happen. Udinski is in the mix for a couple of head coaching jobs — including Cleveland’s — and there’s the possibility that he doesn’t land any of them much like Scheelhasse. If he doesn’t, why go back to Jacksonville where you are not the play caller? Udinski could be a first-time play caller that the Browns take a chance on.
Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees
There’s the possibility that Rees follows Stefanski to the Falcons. If he doesn’t, it’s possible that the Browns keep Rees around with Schwartz as the head coach. Rees is highly thought of as an up-and-coming offensive mind and has had college head coaching interest. I will say that this move would not sit well with fans.
Dolphins pass game coordinator Bobby Slowik
If the Browns want to go with someone who has experience calling plays, Slowik may be the answer. 2023 and 2024 brought mixed results for Slowik in Houston as the offensive coordinator and he’s since been with the Dolphins. Slowik working with Mike McDaniel for a year then jumping back into being a play caller is intriguing. Cleveland could do a whole lot worse.
Broncos pass game coordinator Davis Webb
One of the fastest-rising names is a former NFL quarterback who has coached under Sean Payton for the last three years. Webb was the quarterbacks coach in 2023 and 2024 before getting pass game coordinator added to his plate. Webb is just 30 years old, like Udinski, and would come with risk as a first-time play caller. Another young mind that the Browns could take a look at if they go with Schwartz.
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