The Cleveland Browns are back to the drawing board in their head coaching search, as Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski has officially withdrawn his name from consideration. According to reports, Udinski is set to sign a new deal to remain in Jacksonville - a deal that keeps the door open for a potential move to Buffalo, where he’s still in the running for the Bills’ top job.
For the Browns, this is a notable loss. Udinski was reportedly one of the frontrunners for the position, checking many of the boxes Cleveland seemed to be targeting in this hiring cycle. He joins a growing list of coaches who’ve opted out of the Browns’ process, leaving the front office to continue its search elsewhere.
That search continues today, with an in-person interview scheduled with Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase. Scheelhaase is seen as a rising offensive mind and will get his shot to make an impression as Cleveland looks to reset its coaching direction.
As for Udinski, his stock has been rising fast - and for good reason. At just 30 years old, his coaching journey has been a steady climb through the NFL ranks.
He broke into the league as an assistant with the Panthers from 2020 to 2021, then joined the Vikings in 2022 in a special projects role. Minnesota clearly saw something in him, promoting him to assistant quarterbacks coach for the 2024 season.
That led to his current post in Jacksonville, where he was hired as OC under head coach Liam Coen for the 2025 campaign.
And Udinski made the most of that opportunity. In his first year calling plays, the Jaguars’ offense finished sixth in points scored and ranked 11th in total yards - impressive marks for a young coordinator in his first season at the helm. While the run game lagged a bit (20th in rushing yards), the passing attack was solid, finishing 12th in the league.
Those numbers, combined with his rapid rise and reputation as a sharp offensive mind, have made Udinski a hot name in coaching circles. Jacksonville’s move to lock him in - while still allowing for a potential jump to a head coaching gig in Buffalo - shows just how highly they value his presence on their staff.
For now, though, the Browns will shift their focus. With Udinski off the board, all eyes turn to Scheelhaase and other potential candidates as Cleveland continues its search for the right leader to guide the franchise forward.