The Cleveland Browns’ head coaching search just hit another roadblock - and this time, it’s not about who they couldn’t hire, but who didn’t even want to talk.
Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula turned down a meeting with the Browns, despite reportedly receiving seven interview requests for head coaching jobs. According to Albert Breer, Shula sat down with five other teams - the Steelers, Ravens, Dolphins, Raiders, and Cardinals - but skipped Cleveland entirely.
That’s not the kind of thing you can chalk up to scheduling conflicts. Shula clearly isn’t just waiting for the right time to become a head coach - he’s actively exploring opportunities. The Browns just weren’t one of them.
It’s a curious development, especially considering Shula’s Ohio roots. He played college ball at Miami (Ohio) and launched his coaching career at John Carroll.
You’d think there’d be some pull there. But in this case, nostalgia didn’t outweigh whatever concerns he may have had about the Browns’ situation.
And here’s where it gets even more interesting: Shula isn’t the only Rams assistant drawing serious interest around the league. Passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur are also in the mix for promotions elsewhere.
The Rams’ coaching tree, under Sean McVay, continues to be one of the most fertile in the NFL. So the Browns did manage to land a meeting with Scheelhaase, which suggests this isn’t a blanket “no thanks” to McVay’s staff - it’s specific to Shula.
From a football standpoint, Shula could’ve made a lot of sense in Cleveland. The Rams finished 10th in the league in points allowed per game (20.4), and pairing Shula’s defensive acumen with the Browns’ elite front seven seemed like a natural fit. But if he didn’t see the opportunity as the right one, that’s probably telling - and maybe even a blessing in disguise.
Because here’s the thing: if Cleveland is truly focused on bringing in a defensive-minded head coach, they already have a strong in-house candidate in Jim Schwartz. He’s respected in the locker room, has three years of experience running the defense, and has been instrumental in shaping one of the league’s most dominant units. Yes, his head coaching stint with the Lions didn’t go as planned, but Schwartz has more than earned another shot.
Still, it’s worth asking whether defense is really the side of the ball that needs fixing. The Browns’ offense has been stuck in the mud for years, and while some of that falls on inconsistent quarterback play and a lack of top-tier weapons, there’s no denying the need for a fresh, modern approach. This team needs someone who can breathe life into the offense - someone who can scheme receivers open, develop quarterbacks, and put points on the board consistently.
So maybe missing out on Shula isn’t such a loss. Maybe it’s a sign that the Browns need to pivot - not just in who they’re targeting, but in the kind of coach they’re looking for.
Defense hasn’t been the problem. It’s time to find a leader who can finally bring the offense into the modern era - and give this team a real shot at contending.