Does Myles Garrett have a direct say in who gets to be HC for the Browns? This ESPN analyst believes so.

In Tuesday’s episode of The Tony Rizzo Show, the hosts were discussing the question about who’s involved in the team’s head coach search, since they fired Kevin Stefanski after six years.

Browns expert and ESPN analyst Tony Rizzo believes Garrett and franchise owner Jimmy Haslam are actively in the interview process.

Despite his background in offense, Stefanski made an 8-26 record in the past two seasons with an O-line widely criticized. 

Saying he’s trusting the team with another chance, Rizzo said, “I think Jimmy is in on it, more than you guys know. I think Myles Garrett is on this thing. I think he’s got a voice.

“Andrew, who knows? All I know is, Imma give them a chance. I’m not gonna bury the Browns, let’s see if they bring more. I need offense. Is that ok?” he further added.

Ranked 30th in the league, the Browns’ offense was dependent on rookies after they traded veteran Joe Flacco. With only 4,456 total yards, they lacked consistency and reliable players. 

The same cannot be said for the defense. Garrett’s unit allowed only 283.6 total yards per game and 167.2 passing yards per game. The Browns ranked fourth and third in the league, respectively. 

The disconnected dynamic between the units affects Garrett’s ambition of playing in the Super Bowl, and he said as much in his open letter to the franchise and fans before the 2025 season began. 

The Browns Want To Avoid Another Trade Request From Garrett

If the Browns lose Garrett, who surpassed the NFL record for most sacks by a player in a season with 23, and ranked 8th on the NFL’s top 100 players list, they would fall apart entirely.

Especially after franchise owner Jimmy Haslam, in July this year, said that the team needs to win more than three games and improve. They won four games this season. 

“Everybody, coaches, players, personnel, ownership, all know that 3-14 won’t cut it. We’ve got to do better. I think we’ll know what better looks like,” he told reporters in a media session. 

After the Browns ended the 2025 regular season, Haslam promised fans that the team, which made two playoff appearances in 2020 and 2023, would rebuild itself and improve. 

So, even if just speculation, Rizzo’s assessment holds ground. Haslam and Garrett have valid concerns over the offensive line, as the management is looking for a pool of offense-minded candidates.  

Their options are:

• Dan Pitcher, the Bengals’ offensive coordinator
• Todd Monken, the Ravens’ offensive coordinator
• Aden Durde, Seahawks’ defensive coordinator, 
• Mike McDaniel, former Dolphins head coach
• Grant Udinski, Jaguars’ offensive coordinator and 
• Nathan Scheelhaase, the Rams’ pass game coordinator

What are your thoughts on this? Tell us in the comments.

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu