The Cleveland Browns coaching search has devolved into a comedy of errors...and it might be the best thing to ever happen for GM Andrew Berry.
On Monday, the Browns traveled to Los Angeles and held a marathon, seven-hour sit down with Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase.
The presumed goal was to sign the Sean McVay student. The result? The meeting ended without a deal and he interviewed with the Buffalo Bills the same night. This comes on the heels of Mike McDaniel, Grant Udinski, and Jesse Minter all pulling their names from consideration, leaving Cleveland looking like the date no one wants to take to prom.
However, in the world of the "same old Browns," this unintentional disaster is clearing the path for the man who should have been the choice all along: Jim Schwartz.
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The Tale of the Tape: Experience vs. Potential
While Berry is enamored with the "next young genius" in the 35-year-old Scheelhaase, the locker room is already sold on old school Schwartz. Here is why failing into their own defensive coordinator is actually a massive win:
| Jim Schwartz | Nate Scheelhaase | |
| Experience | 19 years as NFL DC / 5 years as HC | 2 years in NFL (Pass Game Coordinator) |
| Track Record | Super Bowl LII Champion (Eagles DC) | Part of Rams 2025 NFC finalist staff under Sean McVay |
| Local Impact | Led Browns to Top 5 Defense (2023, 2025) | No previous ties to Cleveland roster |
| Player Support | Publicly backed by Denzel Ward & Myles Garrett | Unknown "CEO" potential |
The Verdict
Scheelhaase is a flashy gamble with zero coordinator experience. Schwartz is a proven commodity who already knows how to fix the culture in Berea. If the "hot" candidates keep saying no, owner Jimmy Haslam might accidentally trip and fall into the most qualified coach on the market.
More Browns News:
- Nate Scheelhaase: 3 pros and cons as Browns race Bills for top HC candidate
- ‘You suck!’: ESPN host blasts Browns data-driven disaster as coaching search spirals
- Browns solve Rooney Rule crisis: Anthony Lynn interview clears way for head coach decision
- 'Does anyone want this Browns job?’ Pelissero reveals the bizarre reason coaches are snubbing Cleveland
- Why the Browns must hire a ‘complete culture changer’ to save the franchise