The Cleveland Browns' head coaching search continues to take twists and turns, and not all of them are going Cleveland’s way. Most recently, Jesse Minter - the highly regarded defensive coordinator - pulled out of his scheduled interview with the Browns.
Instead, he’s opted to pursue other opportunities, ultimately landing with the Baltimore Ravens. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a franchise still trying to find the right leader to take a playoff-caliber roster to the next level.
Minter’s decision adds to what’s been a bumpy road for the Browns this hiring cycle. Multiple candidates have either declined interviews or accepted jobs elsewhere, leaving Cleveland with a shrinking pool of top-tier options. That’s not to say the search is over - far from it - but the Browns are clearly facing stiff competition from other teams around the league who are also in the market for a new head coach.
As it stands, four candidates are officially off the board, and the Browns have two second interviews lined up. The front office is still in the thick of the process, but the clock is ticking. With every passing day, the urgency grows - not just to fill the position, but to get the right person in place before key offseason decisions need to be made.
Names like Grant Udinski and Nate Scheelhaase remain in the mix, but they’re not exclusive to Cleveland. Other organizations are circling, and the Browns are going to have to make a compelling case to land their preferred candidate. That includes selling a roster that, despite its flaws, has real talent - especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Speaking of defense, the Browns got some well-earned recognition this week. Star edge rusher Myles Garrett has been named a finalist for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, while rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger is in the running for Rookie Defensive Player of the Year.
Garrett’s dominance has become almost routine at this point - his blend of speed, power, and technique makes him a nightmare for opposing offenses. Schwesinger, meanwhile, has been a breakout surprise.
His instincts and sideline-to-sideline range have made an immediate impact, and he looks like a foundational piece moving forward.
That kind of defensive firepower is part of what makes the Browns’ head coaching job appealing - even if some candidates have passed. The bones of a contender are here.
A top-tier defense, a front office willing to be aggressive, and a fan base hungry for success. What’s missing is the right voice at the top - someone who can connect the dots, stabilize the locker room, and get this team over the hump in a loaded AFC.
There’s also been chatter about other potential names entering the conversation, including Sean McDermott. While it’s unclear how serious those talks are, it’s worth examining what a coach like McDermott might bring - and whether his style would mesh with Cleveland’s current roster and culture. He’s known for his defensive acumen and structured leadership, but the fit would need to be right on both sides.
In the meantime, the Browns continue to work through interviews and evaluate their options. It’s not the smoothest search we’ve seen, but the franchise seems committed to taking its time to get this right - even if that means weathering a few public rejections along the way.
And while the coaching carousel spins, the front office is also eyeing roster upgrades. One area they’re reportedly focused on is tight end depth.
While Harold Fannin Jr. has shown promise, Cleveland could look to add another inline tight end on Day 3 of the draft. It’s a subtle but important move for a team that leans heavily on tight end versatility in both the run and pass game.
Bottom line: the Browns are at a crossroads. The talent is there.
The expectations are rising. Now it’s about finding the leader who can bring it all together.
The search hasn’t been easy, but there’s still time to land the right coach - someone who can harness this roster’s potential and guide Cleveland into the next phase of its evolution.