The Cleveland Browns' coaching search faces a new delay. Their plan to interview Rams' pass game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase for the head coach role has been postponed due to NFL rules.

Nathan Scheelhaase, the Rams’ pass game coordinator, is one of the head coach candidates who has been offered a second interview by the Browns.

However, the Rams’ 20-17 postseason victory against the Bears has added a roadblock in the Browns’ search for their new head coach. 

According to the league’s Conference Championship rules, no team can conduct an interview until the candidate’s team is done with its game. The Rams are currently preparing to face the Seahawks next. And the Browns previously spoke to Scheelhaase last week. 

Adam Schefter, an NFL insider, informed that the Browns’ management cannot interview Scheelhaase until next Monday. 

He informed about this development in an X post yesterday and wrote, “Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase will be getting a second head coaching interview with the Cleveland Browns. But with the Rams win on Sunday night, the Browns cannot talk with him until next Monday.”

Scheelhaase joined the Rams in 2024 as a pass game specialist and offensive assistant. In that season, the Rams were ranked 10th offensively with 3,868 passing yards. They averaged 227.5 per game.

The Rams were 12th in terms of yards per reception with 11.2 and made 367 completions, making them 13th best team in the league. 

But after his promotion as the pass game coordinator, the Rams became the best in the NFL with 4,557 passing yards and averaged 268.1 per game. The 35-year-old is also a former quarterback and holds immense potential in improving the Browns’ offense. 

Other Candidates on the List

Their other candidates are the Bengals' offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher, the Ravens’ counterpart Todd Monken, the Seahawks' defensive coordinator Aden Durde, and former Dolphins' head coach Mike McDaniel.

Jaguars’ offensive coordinator, Grant Udinski, is also another option who seems promising, thanks to his proven offensive record.

The Browns have also interviewed their unit coordinators, Jim Schwartz of defense and Tommy Rees, in charge of offense. Apart from the waiting period, the NFL also has the Rooney Rule, which demands that franchises interview at least two external candidates who are minorities. 

The Browns are determined to become a winning franchise and bury their 5-14 record. Which candidate do you think is best suited? Tell us in the comments.

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu