When Sean McDermott was let go on Monday, it didn’t just send shockwaves through Buffalo - it reshaped the entire 2026 NFL coaching carousel. And for the Cleveland Browns, who’ve been deep in their head coaching search for weeks, the Bills’ sudden entry into the market - with MVP-caliber quarterback Josh Allen as the centerpiece - might be the biggest curveball yet.
Buffalo may be late to the party, but they’re wasting no time getting organized. Their initial list of candidates includes two familiar faces: current offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who’s built a strong working relationship with Allen, and Brian Daboll, the former Bills OC and ex-Giants head coach, who helped mold Allen into one of the league’s most dangerous quarterbacks. Both bring continuity and familiarity, but Buffalo’s also eyeing a rising star - and that’s where things get complicated for Cleveland.
Grant Udinski is suddenly in high demand - and Browns fans are feeling the pressure.
The 30-year-old offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars has quickly become one of the hottest names in this hiring cycle. The Browns already had Udinski lined up for a second interview on Friday, signaling serious interest.
But now the Bills are in play, and that’s a problem for Cleveland. They can’t stop him from taking that meeting, and if Buffalo decides he’s their guy, the Browns could lose a top target before they even get a chance to make an offer.
Udinski’s resume is impressive for such a young coach. He’s drawn praise for his work with Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville and previously helped revive Sam Darnold’s career in Minnesota.
He checks the boxes for a modern offensive mind - creative, adaptable, and capable of connecting with young quarterbacks. That’s exactly the kind of coach Buffalo might want if they’re looking to pair Allen with a fresh perspective rather than relying on familiar names.
Meanwhile, Cleveland’s coaching search is starting to feel like it’s stuck in neutral. With Mike McDaniel reportedly shifting his focus to the Chargers and Justin Herbert, the Browns are now down to five known candidates: Jim Schwartz, Todd Monken, Udinski, Jesse Minter, and Nate Scheelhaase.
Here’s where things get tricky. Of those five, only Scheelhaase - currently the passing game coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams - satisfies the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which requires teams to conduct in-person interviews with at least two external minority or female candidates before making a hire.
And because the Rams are still alive in the playoffs, the Browns can’t even interview Scheelhaase until after the NFC Championship Game. That means Monday is the earliest they can move forward with him.
So unless Cleveland finds another qualified candidate to bring in before Friday - which seems unlikely given the optics and logistics - they’re effectively blocked from making a hire this week. Even if Udinski dazzles in his second interview, league rules prevent them from finalizing anything until they check the Rooney Rule boxes.
All of this leaves the Browns in a vulnerable spot. Buffalo offers a far more attractive situation for any offensive coach: a Super Bowl-caliber roster, a stable front office, and, of course, Josh Allen.
Cleveland, on the other hand, is pitching a project - a team still trying to find its identity on offense, with a quarterback room that could include Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, or Dillon Gabriel. That’s a lot of uncertainty.
If Buffalo decides Udinski is their guy, it’s hard to imagine him choosing Cleveland over the opportunity to coach one of the league’s best quarterbacks on a team ready to contend right now. And with the Browns scrambling to satisfy league hiring protocols, they’re at risk of losing out on their top candidate - not because of fit or philosophy, but because they weren’t ready to move when it mattered most.
The Browns still have options, but the clock is ticking. And with the Bills now in the mix, the margin for error just got a whole lot thinner.