One of the biggest names on this year’s HC and OC carousels, Mike McDaniel has options. And he will not be going to Cleveland. The former Dolphins HC informed the Browns he is not taking their second interview, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports.
McDaniel is out of this Browns race, but he has met with the Raiders and Ravens. Multiple OC offers have also come in, per Pelissero, who adds McDaniels’ Chargers OC meeting is today. McDaniel was slated to meet with the Browns in-person Wednesday.
The Browns have been connected to McDaniel since before firing Kevin Stefanski, but since the former’s Dolphins ouster, he has been the most popular non-John Harbaugh name available. The Browns, Falcons, Ravens, Raiders and Titans have interviewed him for HC jobs. The Bolts, Eagles, Ravens, Lions and Buccaneers scheduled OC interviews. New Titans HC Robert Saleh is also believed to have interest in bringing his ex-49ers coworker to Tennessee as his play-caller.
Cleveland had a second McDaniel interview booked. The AFC North team is believed to be strongly considering promoting DC Jim Schwartz, though it has requested a second meeting with Rams pass-game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase. Jaguars OC Grant Udinski landed a second interview as well. The Rams remaining in the playoffs has Scheelhaase’s second meeting on hold. Ravens OC Todd Monken, who seems to have a landing spot in place with the Giants as OC, is going through a second Browns HC interview today.
Although Stefanski led Cleveland to playoff berths in 2020 and 2023, the Browns have slipped back to their regular place — well, since their 1999 relaunch — in the NFL hierarchy after combining for just eight wins over the past two seasons. This job is rarely seen as a coveted position, with Jimmy Haslam known for meddling. This is the first time, however, the Browns have searched for a head coach since authorizing the disastrous Deshaun Watson extension. That contract is expected to remain on the payroll this year, and a historic dead money bill — from void years created through restructures — is on tap for 2027. That will affect this search, with the Browns being hamstrung by that 2022 mistake for at least two more years.
It is interesting that McDaniel would back out of a head coaching search when he is not assured to stay on the HC radar. But working with a solid quarterback as an OC would naturally appeal to the four-year Dolphins coach. The Bills’ HC job is also open, though McDaniel has yet to be connected to that appealing position. But he could have the opportunity to work with Justin Herbert in L.A., Baker Mayfield in Tampa or even Lamar Jackson in Baltimore — after being mentioned as an option for the Ravens’ HC or OC role.
McDaniel’s destination should be known soon. He is also not the only candidate to withdraw from a search during this year’s cycle. Stefanski exited the Raiders’ HC search, soon becoming the next Falcons leader.
Wow … thought it was the only HC job he would get? He must have an offer somewhere else … The Raiders?
@brian wolf. Yeah, but he might be looking at the ravens, chargers, bills OC jobs, and leave after a year. I dont think he will take steelers, cardinals, raiders, and browns. Browns will probably go to a DC since the defense is loaded.
He’s being smart, Browns are screwed without cap and a QB for at least this year and likely next. Plus Haslam is not known for patience he might be looking again in two years and that would probably be for OC jobs only if he got canned from two HC jobs. If he’s an OC with a top 5/10 QB and helps take them to next level he’ll have options for HC jobs and can pick one with a franchise QB or path towards one.
Stefanski was there 6 years and he never won a playoff game. That’s patience
He beat the Steelers with Baker.
He was actually in his basement watching the game
True, but I felt he would want to develop Watson.
@rexhudler86 – I lean towards him taking an OC spot for a year or two also because there are some great choices in Philly, Baltimore and Buffalo (honestly thought if he was gonna be an OC it’d be dangerous and appealing for him with Detroit weapons but they hired petzing).
But if he goes HC, I could easily see him being open to Arizona, both the team and the warm state/dome setup. People aren’t high on Kyler but due to limited FA and draft options, he’ll probably stay a year. So I could see mcdaniels liking Kyler who’s better than Tua (and he believed in him for a while),michael wilson (top 2 or 3 in league in receiving yds last half season i think) and trying to get something out of marvin Harrison Jr, plus hopefully healthy rbs returning. And Walter Nolan and will johnson on defense who looked great in their small sample size. Plus a top 5 pick. If it doesn’t work out, can get his 2nd year to draft his own qb in deeper class.
I’m a jags fan in AZ so not a homer but Arizona cardinals and Phoenix is appealing to coaches like McDaniel, (kingsbury), McDermott, etc.
Anybody not wanting the Steeler’s is dumb. A solid organization
Steelers need a complete rebuild. They have no locked in qb, rb are OK, only dk at wide receiver. On defense they have tj watt as cornerstone but noone else that is a must keep. To me, the organization has been solid I agree, but since there’d no long term qbs or franchise players in free agency or their avg draft spot at 20+, that’s not a team that creates a very quick turnaround. Steelers fans will hate it but take the fan bias out of it and the best move for them to rebuild is to trade tj watt. Otherwise, answer seriously and say how can they rebuild as easily as multiple other teams? They aren’t built up to just tweak and retool and don’t have the access to tear down and rebuild unless watt gets moved which again the fan base would go crazy over because they love him and his production. But sometimes you have to, to rebuild. If it was me I wouldn’t choose to start there. Baltimore has more young stable, core, pieces. Buffalo does with Allen and Cook and others, and even as of now the raiders still have a top edge in Crosby, a top TE in bowers and high ceiling jeanty if not playing in games where the run script gets abandoned. Raiders have more building blocks for future coach. Steelers do not.
First of all, naming only TJ as the only cornerstone after the season he had shows how little you know on this topic.
One could easily argue that Highsmith, Herbig, and Joey Porter Jr have more value moving forward, and that Cam Heyward has more value now. Derrick Harmon will hopefully build off a strong rookie season. So pieces at all 3 levels whether they trade TJ or not (they should if they can get even a 2nd) or keep or cut Ramsey.
Then there is a slew of guys that absolutely deserve to return on D, even if just for a year or two (ex. Echols, Pierre, Elliott) or are still young with untapped potential (Wilson, Black, Sawyer).
Honestly with better coaching, the defense is primed for a big bounce back.
Offense is a bigger question mark. Outside of QB they have a high pedigree OL, a fringe WR1, underutilized TE’s, and decent backs. It will be interesting to see what they do at QB and how much of their offensive woes were coaching/scheme/development.
It’s not the best job on the market on paper, but implying its worse than middle of the pack is underselling it. Then factor in the built in security blanket of ownership valuing stability and longevity and looking for another 15-20 year guy and the history of the franchise? I’m sure plenty of candidates have it in their Top 3.
Good analysis but I in fact do know alot more than you seem to think on the topic. You are clearly a fan and that’s cool, but rather than addressing all of your reply, I’ll just say the fact that you are discussing Heywards future value is a bit comical even with a good season. That’s not a building block for a future coach. He has maybe a year or two left unless he sticks around for part time rotational at best. As a former jags fan who liked Ramsey, even I can admit seeing him get beat numerous times. Not even a question of whether he should get cut. And porter Jr is improving sure but also streaky and inconsistent. That’s not a guaranteed 2nd contract guy right now but could be.
Ultimately, everyone has their own opinion so no need to make personal comments to start, but regardless, saying it is in the top 3 over the bills, ravens, cardinals, or even raiders or titans is far from accurate. It beats the browns but even the browns have better defensive cornerstones than the steelers. I hesitated to include titans in this list but multiple articles here say it is a desired destination due to new stadium, draft pick, and cap space, despite the terrible ownership. and I lived there during the pandemic but I wouldn’t rate titans top 3 even with that stuff.
Speaking of ownership, yeah the steelers and ravens have longevity but that doesnt mean it’s because they had great owners or front office necessarily. Do I think they’re good? Sure, but most teams would have that stability if their coach never produced a losing season even when alot if past picks and signings did not work out the last 7 years.
I actually literally said “Heyward has more value now”. Didn’t call him a building block for the future.
And I actually don’t think this Rooney is a great owner, no, but that was not my point either. Going to a stable organization that doesn’t have a history of firing head coaches after a year or two (CLE, TEN, LV, ARZ) is absolutely a factor when we’re talking about your livelihood and career. Especially if you are left with the teams that are not plug & play contenders (BUF, BAL). None of those other teams have proven QBs, and have worse rosters top to bottom. Well maybe not CLE, but they always find a way to underachieve. I’m obviously biased, but I can’t imagine anyone wanting that job over PIT if they had the choice.
In the end the Steelers will very likely get their #1 choice. Partially because its a more attractive job than you’re suggesting and partially because they often don’t have the hottest name(s) at the top of their list. In an offensive league they will likely stick to their guns and either hire a DC (Shula or Flores), or go with the “safe” former HC that is both good with young QBs but also buddies with the senior citizen QB they shockingly seem interested in bringing back (McCarthy).
Either way, Rooney has no interest in a rebuild. They will attempt to once again reload, plug holes, draft well, and look to make the playoffs again, whether anyone else thinks they are a serious contender or not.
Sometimes its better to just wait.
Let Jim Schwarz have it. Need a quality qb b4 that job is desirable again.
I would think anyone with ties to Shanahan would avoid Cleveland like the plague while Haslam is the owner.
Makes sense on his end. He’s almost certainly going to get a second shot at head coach some day. Third shots are much less common. After getting fired from a job that was plagued by problems that predated him, Cleveland is not the best next step. They have some young talent and extra draft capital, but they don’t have a good quarterback answer, Watson and his cap hit are still there, the offensive line needs a complete revamping, and the receiver group is still lacking. Seems like there’s a high probability whoever takes this job loses it again in a couple of years without ever having had a chance. I’d much rather be OC in a better situation for a year if I were him, and that’s several open places.
With him interviewing with the raiders yesterday and after seeing Mendoza play in person??? I think he’s coming to us
Sayless I think.
Smart man.. even he realizes how much the browns are a dumpster fire
As a Steelers fan I would have enjoying in the AFC North. What a personality to go with his offensive mind.
He is going to the Chargers. From Tags to Herbert.
It speaks volumes to the state of the Cleveland Browns for a candidate to withdraw themselves from consideration in favor of taking a perceived lesser position with another team.
Great decision from McDaniel!
Browns threw Stefanski a lifeline by firing him!
Franchise is doomed as long as Haslem owns the team.