Gregg Williams Has A Chance To Remain Browns’ HC

Since taking over as the Browns’ interim head coach after the team fired the much-maligned Hue Jackson, Gregg Williams has put together a 4-2 record and even has Browns fans dreaming about a playoff push. That chatter increased after the team’s exciting win in Denver last night, and Williams’ stock is rising as a result.

Most interim coaches in Williams’ situation get a perfunctory interview for the full-time gig, and it was expected that Williams’ interview with the Browns this offseason would be no different. But in light of the team’s success under his watch, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Williams’ interview with team brass will be a “real one” that could end with his getting the job.

Phil Simms of the CBS Sports Network believes Williams has a “really good” chance of staying on as the Browns’ head coach in 2019 (video link), though NFL insider and former ESPN reporter Ed Werder hears from a Browns source that Williams has a small chance, but a chance nonetheless (Twitter link).

Williams previously served as the Bills’ head coach from 2001-03, though his club put together a 17-31 record during that time with no playoff appearances. He will always be remembered for the infamous Bountygate scandal during his time as the Saints’ defensive coordinator, but he remains a well-respected defensive mind and he has seemingly developed a good rapport with Browns OC Freddie Kitchens, who is getting plenty of praise for his work since being promoted to the role at the end of October.

Williams could also return to Cleveland as the defensive coordinator, but if he does not get the head coaching job with the Browns, he may prefer to look elsewhere.

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