The Cleveland Browns’ coaching search has hit a procedural wall, and rivals are pouncing.
Despite interviewing Grant Udinski (Jaguars OC) and Nate Scheelhaase (Rams passing game coordinaor) virtually, NFL rules state that Zoom calls don’t satisfy the Rooney Rule, which requires two in-person minority interviews before a hire can be made.
Since Mike McDaniel withdrew his candidacy on Tuesday, the Browns are legally "frozen" until at least January 26, when Scheelhaase is permitted to interview in-person following the Rams NFC Championship game.
This delay has opened the door for a heist. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Buffalo Bills have officially requested to interview Udinski, while ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports both the Steelers and Raiders are moving in on Scheelhaase.
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The stakes couldn't be higher. ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi notes that the Browns are essentially "locked in" on these two. "I believe Grant Udinski is their number one choice," Grossi stated on The Really Big Show, adding that "Scheelhaase is number two."
If the Browns don't navigate the Rooney Rule bottleneck quickly, they risk watching their top two young, rising star targets sign with their biggest AFC rivals while GM Andrew Berry is still waiting for the green light to even make an offer.
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