The Cleveland Browns continue to search for their next head coach after firing Kevin Stefanski on Monday. Cleveland has submitted interview requests for several candidates, including Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher, and Seattle Seahaws defensive coordinator Aiden Durde, per Albert Breer. However, another name who has ties to the Browns has become available.
The Miami Dolphins fired head coach Mike McDaniel on Thursday, despite initial reports indicating he was safe and that the team would roll with him as head coach into the 2026 season. Owner Stephen Ross released a statement on the matter.
"After careful evaluation and extensive discussions since the season ended, I have made the decision that our organization is in need of comprehensive change," Ross said. "I informed Mike McDaniel this morning that he has been relieved of his duties as head coach. I love Mike and want to thank him for his hard work, commitment, and the energy he brought to our organization. Mike is an incredibly creative football mind whose passion for the game and his players was evident every day. I wish him and his family the best moving forward."
The Cleveland Browns should hire Mike McDaniel
Hiring McDaniel makes sense for the Browns. He has a history with the organization, serving as Cleveland's wide receivers coach in 2014 before following Kyle Shanahan to the Atlanta Falcons where he served as an offensive assistant. When Shanahan took the San Francisco 49ers head coach job, McDaniel joined his staff as the run game coordinator from 2017-20 and was the offensive coordinator in 2021.
While things may have ended poorly with the Dolphins, McDaniel's scheme got the absolute best out of Tua Tagovailoa. Bringing in McDaniel and getting him a quality quarterback would turn the Browns' offense into a much stronger and formidable unit.
Plus, if Jim Schwartz sticks around, the defense will remain one of the best in the NFL while McDaniel helps turn the offense around. It's
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