The Cleveland Browns are zeroing in on their next head coach, and all signs point toward a key piece of Sean McVay’s staff. Nate Scheelhaase, the Los Angeles Rams’ pass game coordinator, is set to meet with the Browns in person on Monday - a strong indicator that he’s a serious candidate to take over in Cleveland.
Scheelhaase isn’t the only rising name from McVay’s coaching tree the Browns had their eye on. They also sought permission to speak with Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula. But Shula pulled his name from consideration, opting not to pursue the job.
That decision could end up shaping the next chapter of Shula’s coaching journey - and not necessarily in the way he might’ve hoped.
With only a handful of head coaching vacancies remaining around the league - Cleveland among them - the window is closing quickly. And for Shula, the grandson of legendary coach Don Shula, the odds of landing a top job this cycle are thinning.
Let’s break it down: Shula was reportedly in the mix for openings in Miami and Pittsburgh, but both franchises have already moved forward with other plans. Buffalo still has a vacancy, but that situation is complicated. With Josh Allen expected to have significant input in the hiring process, it’s tough to imagine the Bills leaning toward another defensive-minded coach so soon after parting ways with Sean McDermott.
That narrows the field to the Las Vegas Raiders and the Arizona Cardinals.
Las Vegas could be intriguing. They’ve got some young talent, and they hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft - a rare opportunity to shape a franchise from the ground up.
But the Raiders have also shown a clear preference for experience in the past. Tom Brady, now part of the ownership group, reportedly played a major role in the team bringing in Pete Carroll last year.
That didn’t pan out, but it gives you a sense of the kind of resume the Raiders may be looking for again.
Then there’s Arizona - a team still searching for direction. The Cardinals haven’t gained much traction in this year’s coaching carousel, and it’s not hard to see why.
Their quarterback situation is murky at best, and the roster lacks high-end talent on both sides of the ball. It’s a tough sell for any coach, let alone one looking for his first head job.
To be clear, there’s no guarantee that Shula would’ve landed the Browns job even if he had taken the interview. Scheelhaase might’ve been the frontrunner all along. But for a 39-year-old coordinator still waiting on his first head coaching opportunity, turning down a chance to sit down with a team - even just to gain experience in the process - is a bold move.
Sometimes, the interview isn’t just about getting the job. It’s about getting in the room, making an impression, and planting the seeds for future opportunities. That’s how the coaching carousel works - relationships, impressions, and timing.
With the Browns seemingly moving forward and other teams locking in their hires, Shula may find himself back in a coordinator role for at least another season. And while that’s not the end of the world - plenty of great head coaches have taken the long road - it’s a reminder that in this league, every opportunity matters.
For now, all eyes are on Cleveland and Nate Scheelhaase. If the meeting goes as expected, the Browns could be adding a fresh offensive mind to lead the franchise. As for Shula, his next shot may have to wait - and in the NFL, timing is everything.