The Cleveland Browns’ head coaching search just hit another speed bump.
After former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel pulled his name from consideration last week, Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski has now followed suit. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Udinski informed the Browns that he’s withdrawing from the process and won’t be taking the job in Cleveland.
But this isn’t the end of the road for Udinski. He’s still very much in the mix for a head coaching gig - just not in Northeast Ohio.
Per Schefter, Udinski has secured a new deal with the Jaguars that includes a pay bump for next season. That said, Jacksonville is keeping the door open for him to pursue the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching vacancy.
If he doesn’t land the Buffalo job, he’ll return to Duval as the Jaguars’ OC.
This move mirrors what we saw from McDaniel. He also opted out of the Browns’ head coaching race but stayed active on the market.
McDaniel was reportedly still eyeing the Chargers’ offensive coordinator role and the Raiders’ head coaching job. As of Monday, he officially landed the OC position in Los Angeles.
What’s clear here is that both coaches - rising names with offensive pedigrees - had options. And when faced with the opportunity to lead the Browns, they chose to go in different directions.
That’s not just about money or titles. It says something about how Cleveland’s situation is being viewed around the league right now.
It’s no secret the Browns have had their share of instability, and the recent coaching carousel hasn’t helped. When two respected coaches with head coaching aspirations both decide to walk away - even with the top job on the table - it raises eyebrows.
Naturally, the news sparked a wave of reactions online. Fans and observers didn’t hold back, with many pointing fingers at the organization’s leadership and long-standing dysfunction.
Some called it a “masterclass” by Udinski, who managed to secure a raise while sidestepping what they see as a tough situation in Cleveland. Others took a more emotional route, expressing the frustration and fatigue that comes with being a Browns fan - a fanbase that’s seen more than its fair share of coaching turnover and disappointment.
At the end of the day, the Browns are still in the market for a head coach. But with both McDaniel and Udinski off the board, the list of candidates is shrinking - and the optics aren’t great. Whether it's a matter of organizational culture, roster concerns, or just timing, Cleveland has some convincing to do if they want to land the right leader for the next chapter.
The search continues.