The Cleveland Browns are back in familiar territory - searching for a new head coach. After six seasons of relative stability under Kevin Stefanski, the franchise is once again in the market for a leader who can align with general manager Andrew Berry’s vision and, perhaps more importantly, elevate an offense that’s in need of a serious refresh.
Berry made it clear in his recent press conference: this hire is about fit. Not just X’s and O’s, but philosophy, leadership style, and the ability to mesh with the front office’s long-term plan. And based on the early names in the mix, it’s obvious Cleveland is leaning heavily into offensive-minded candidates - a sign that the organization knows where the transformation needs to begin.
One of the more intriguing interviews took place Saturday, when the Browns sat down with Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski. At just 30 years old, Udinski has quickly become one of the hottest young names in coaching circles.
His rise has been meteoric - from sleeping in his car and driving for Uber to earning a graduate assistant spot at Baylor, and now coordinating an NFL offense. It’s the kind of story that gets people’s attention, and it’s no surprise he’s drawing comparisons to Rams head coach Sean McVay, another wunderkind who turned early opportunity into sustained success.
What’s especially notable here is that Udinski, despite holding the OC title, has never called plays. That’s typically a red flag for teams looking to hand over the reins, but the Browns don’t seem too concerned.
The fact they’re giving him a serious look suggests they’re more interested in his vision, leadership traits, and schematic mind than his résumé bullet points. And right now, Cleveland is the only team that has officially requested to interview him - which could give them a head start if he continues to rise.
Another name that continues to generate buzz in league circles is former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. McDaniel’s offensive creativity is well-documented - his Miami units were among the most dynamic in the league, consistently ranking in the top 10.
He maximized Tua Tagovailoa’s strengths, leaned heavily on motion and misdirection, and built a run game around the zone-blocking scheme that kept defenses on their heels. His offenses didn’t just produce yards - they put defenders in conflict and created mismatches all over the field.
But McDaniel isn’t without question marks. While his offensive acumen is undeniable, there have been concerns about his ability to command a locker room.
Miami had its share of flat performances this season - including a notable loss to the very team he’s now interviewing with. That kind of inconsistency, especially in big moments, tends to fall at the feet of the head coach.
Still, both McDaniel and Udinski offer a clear path forward for a Browns team that needs to modernize its offense. McDaniel brings experience and a proven track record of building a top-tier attack. Udinski brings fresh ideas, youthful energy, and the potential to grow into the role - much like Berry himself did when he became the youngest GM in the league.
It’s worth remembering that the Browns interviewed Kevin Stefanski twice before making him their choice back in 2020. That process paid off with a playoff win and the longest stretch of coaching stability the franchise has seen since its return. If the Browns follow a similar path this time around, Udinski could be the candidate they circle back to - especially if they’re looking to pair a young offensive mind with a veteran defensive staff already in place.
No decision has been made yet, but all signs point to Cleveland leaning in a bold, forward-thinking direction. Whether it’s McDaniel’s proven system or Udinski’s untapped potential, the Browns appear focused on building something sustainable - and explosive - on the offensive side of the ball.