Nate Scheelhaase: 3 pros and cons as Browns race Bills for top HC candidate

Andy McNamara

•
Nate Scheelhaase: 3 pros and cons as Browns race Bills for top HC candidate image

The Cleveland Browns head coach search is at a fever pitch. As the team wrapped up its crucial interview with Rams Pass Game Coordinator Nate Scheelhaase today, a new challenger has emerged...the Buffalo Bills.

This isn't just a coaching search anymore; it's a high-stakes race, and the Browns need to act fast if he's their guy.

Scheelhaase, the 35-year-old offensive rising star, has quickly become the hottest name on the market. Should Cleveland roll the dice on making him the youngest coach in the NFL, especially with defensive guru Jim Schwartz also in the mix?

Here are the three pros and cons facing the Browns front office right now:

Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

More: ‘You suck!’: ESPN host blasts Browns data-driven disaster as coaching search spirals

3 Pros: Why Scheelhaase is the Must-Have Hire

  1. The McVay Magic: Scheelhaase is the latest protégé from the Sean McVay coaching tree, credited with orchestrating the Rams' top-ranked passing offense in 2025 and a resurgent, MVP-caliber season from Matthew Stafford. This is the offensive firepower mindset Cleveland desperately needs.

  2. QB Whisperer Potential: A former dual-threat Big Ten quarterback himself, Scheelhaase possesses a unique understanding of modern QB play. He’s the ideal "thought partner" to elevate the Browns current signal-caller or develop a future star.

  3. The Buffalo Stamp of Approval: The ultimate endorsement? The Buffalo Bills, a perennial contender, just requested an interview for Monday night. That alone screams "elite talent" and validates Scheelhaase's skyrocketing stock. If the Bills want him for Josh Allen, the Browns should want him too.

3 Cons: The High-Risk Gamble Cleveland Must Weigh

  1. The Experience Crater: At 35, Scheelhaase would be one of the youngest head coaches in NFL history. While seen as potentially brilliant, he has zero NFL play-calling experience and only two years in the league. That's a monumental leap for a franchise desperate for stability.

  2. Schwartz's Future?: Hiring a young offensive coach could risk alienating defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, the other top candidate who just led the Browns to a top-5 defense. Can Cleveland afford to potentially lose both a veteran coach and an extremely successful defensive scheme?

  3. Leverage Play? With multiple candidates reportedly rejecting the Browns job, is Scheelhaase genuinely interested, or is he leveraging Cleveland's offer to secure a better deal or position with the Bills?

The clock is ticking for the Browns. Will they make the bold, visionary move and secure Scheelhaase, or watch another top candidate slip away? The Dawg Pound is anxiously waiting.

More Browns News