The Browns are at a franchise-altering crossroads, and the pressure is on Andrew Berry to find the next head coach to lead Cleveland back to the playoffs.
As the franchise casts a wide net for candidates, I rank the coordinator options that Berry has either interviewed or requested to talk with. Does a rising young star or an established presence fit best?
Dan Pitcher (OC, Cincinnati Bengals): Pitcher is the secret sauce behind Joe Burrow's success. From Bengals QB coach to offensive coordinator for Burrow's entire career. He's spent a decade in the AFC North, and has worked with GM Andrew Berry in the past with the Colts.
The Pro: He was part of building a Bengals offensive juggernaut, with a proven track record of elite QB development and game management.
The Con: Critics wonder if his success is purely "The Burrow Effect". Can he replicate that magic without the star wide receivers and a generational talent under center?
More: Living in his car to NFL head coach? The meteoric rise of Browns candidate Grant Udinski
Grant Udinski (OC, Jacksonville Jaguars): At just 30 years old, Udinski is the NFL’s brightest "wunderkind" who just orchestrated a top-10 offense in Jacksonville and possesses a high football IQ that the Browns analytics heavy front office would love.
The Pro: He brings a Sean McVay-style innovation that could finally reboot Cleveland's stagnant offense.
The Con: His age is the elephant in the room; the Browns may hesitate to hand the keys to someone who was in college just seven years ago.
Nate Scheelhaase (Pass Game Coordinator, L.A. Rams): The newest branch off the Sean McVay coaching tree, Scheelhaase is a rising star known for creating "nightmare" matchups and helping Matthew Stafford maintain elite efficiency late in his career.
The Pro: He is a master of the modern passing game and brings the highly coveted Rams "offensive culture" to Cleveland.
The Con: Lacks primary play-calling experience at the NFL level, which makes him a higher-risk hire compared to a full-time coordinator.
Todd Monken (OC, Baltimore Ravens): The most experienced of the group, Monken knows the Dawg Pound from his previous stint in Cleveland in 2019. He has spent the last three years making the Ravens' offense consistently dangerous when Lamar Jackson is healthy.
The Pro: He’s a seasoned veteran with deep AFC North roots, and a national championship pedigree from Georgia.
The Con: At nearly 60, he doesn’t fit the "young offensive genius" trend, and his previous one-and-done season with the Browns remains a polarizing memory for fans.
Aden Durde (DC, Seattle Seahawks): The lone defensive candidate on this list, the London, England-born Durde has spent 2025 leading a Seahawks unit that ranks #1 in the NFL in points allowed.
The Pro: He offers a fresh, global perspective, producing a tough and accountable group that matches Cleveland’s current defensive identity.
The Con: With the NFL leaning so heavily toward offensive-minded head coaches to develop young QBs, a defensive hire might feel like a step backward for a team desperate for points.
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