NFL, American Football Herren, USA Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns Dec 28, 2025 Cleveland, Ohio, USA Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward 21 celebrates after the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field. Cleveland Huntington Bank Field Ohio USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKenxBlazex 20251228_kdn_bk4_174
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns Dec 28, 2025 Cleveland, Ohio, USA Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward 21 celebrates after the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field. Cleveland Huntington Bank Field Ohio USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKenxBlazex 20251228_kdn_bk4_174
Jan 25, 2026, 3:45 PM CUT
NFL Insider Reveals Embarrassing Browns Test as Head Coach Search Drags On
The Browns' head coach hunt isn't going well, as even after the first interview, a candidate like Jesse Minter canceled his second interview and joined the Ravens instead. Now, NFL insider Tom Pelissero has shed light on one detail that may be contributing to the difficulty.
NFL insider Tom Pelissero revealed there are certain “tests” the head coaching candidates must complete. And one of those is something you'd expect to see in high school rather than a coaching interview.
"They spend an extraordinary amount of time gathering data on their coaching candidates. You're talking about taking a personality test. You're talking about writing an essay. You're talking about completing homework assignments between the first and second rounds of interviews," said Pelissero.
After sacking Kevin Stefanski following back-to-back disappointing seasons, Cleveland’s defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, looks like a top contender to get the job. Despite their offensive struggles this season, the Browns boasted one of the best defenses of the 2025-26 season.
According to NFL insider @TomPelissero, the Browns are giving coaching candidates 'homework' and having them write essays.
— BrownsNation.com (@BrownsNationcom) January 23, 2026
“The Browns' search process is unlike any other in the NFL, and it plays to certain types of candidates. They are a data-driven operation in Cleveland. They… pic.twitter.com/L1TXeNHj7D
Meanwhile, names like Minter and Mike McDaniel pulled out from a second interview with the Browns. The doors are likely to be closed for the former Dolphins’ head coach. Despite the struggles, Cleveland is at least making progress.
The Cleveland Browns interview Anthony Lynn
The Cleveland Browns owner, Jimmy Haslam, and GM Andrew Berry are leading the search for the new head coach. Unfortunately, they can't sign a head coach until they complete the Rooney Rule.
That means Cleveland has to complete at least two in-person interviews of the minority candidates. As per NFL insider Josina Anderson, the Browns have completed an in-person interview with Anthony Lynn.
Lynn has enough experience as the head coach, taking the Rams to the Divisional playoffs in 2018. Interestingly, he hasn't taken any jobs since 2021.
The team has also completed second-round interviews with Todd Monken (Ravens OC) and Grant Udinski (Jaguars OC. So we'll have to wait and see who Cleveland ends up choosing in the end.
Written by
Kalp Thaker
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi