During the offseason, Browns fans were asked a fascinating question - one that cuts right to the heart of football loyalty, rivalry, and the ever-complicated coaching carousel. What if two of the AFC North’s most iconic head coaches - John Harbaugh of the Ravens and Mike Tomlin of the Steelers - suddenly became available? Would Cleveland fans want one of these battle-tested rivals to take over on the Browns’ sideline?
The results were telling. In a poll of Browns fans, 46% said they’d rather go in a different direction entirely - someone new, someone outside the familiar AFC North circle.
But 37% cast their vote for Harbaugh, while 17% backed Tomlin. And while Tomlin’s number might seem low at first glance, it’s worth noting that acquiring him would likely require a trade, which could’ve cooled some enthusiasm.
What makes this so intriguing is what it says about the mindset of Browns fans right now. Harbaugh and Tomlin aren’t just any coaches - they’re Super Bowl winners, long-tenured leaders who’ve consistently kept their teams in the playoff hunt.
They’re also the faces of Cleveland’s fiercest rivals. So the idea of one of them switching sides is more than just a coaching decision - it’s a cultural shift.
If you dig into the numbers a bit, Harbaugh might actually be the favorite among named candidates. That 46% voting for “someone else” is likely split among a wide range of options - maybe 10 or more potential names.
Harbaugh, on the other hand, pulled in over a third of the vote on his own. That’s a strong signal that, despite his Ravens roots, Browns fans recognize his resume and what he could bring to Cleveland.
And it’s not just a Cleveland conversation. On a national level, before Mike Tomlin stepped down, fans were asked whether certain playoff-regular head coaches should be let go.
The response? 43% said none of them should be fired.
There wasn’t a clear consensus on any one coach, which shows just how complicated these decisions can be. Success in the NFL is hard to come by, and even consistent winners aren't immune to scrutiny.
At the end of the day, this poll is about more than just names on a list. It’s about identity.
Do Browns fans want to bring in a proven winner from a hated rival, or do they want to chart their own course with a fresh face? The fact that Harbaugh received as much support as he did suggests that, for a significant portion of the fanbase, winning might just outweigh old grudges.
As the coaching market continues to shift and more dominoes fall, this kind of fan insight offers a valuable glimpse into how Cleveland is thinking about its future - not just in terms of X’s and O’s, but in terms of culture, leadership, and what it will take to finally bring sustained success to the Dawg Pound.