Grant Udinski Removes Himself From Browns HC Job Consideration

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jay Canale | Last updated Jan 26, 2026 11:54 AM ET

Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski has withdrawn from consideration for the Cleveland Browns’ head coaching vacancy, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. The Browns completed two interviews with Udinski for the role, but their search will now continue without him.

This means big things for three franchises. First, Cleveland, whose candidates are now narrowed down to Commanders run game coordinator Anthony Lynn, Rams passing game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase, former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, and their defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz.

The second is the Buffalo Bills, who now hold the lone head-coaching vacancy for which Udinski is in contention. It appears he is on their short list, as two of the Bills’ other candidates, Mike McDaniel and Philip Rivers, recently removed themselves from consideration for the role.

And the third team this news has major implications for is the Jaguars. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Udinski has a new deal in place with Jacksonville that will increase his pay next season. If he doesn’t get the head coaching job with the Bills, he’ll return to serve as the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator in 2026.

Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, left listens on the headset as Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen call a play during the first quarter in an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. Bills lead 10-7 at the half over the Jaguars. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]© Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Although getting the chance to coach a transcendent talent like Josh Allen would be an incredible opportunity for Udinski, if he ends up back in Jacksonville next season, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. The Bills job carries more pressure than nearly any other in the league, and Udinski would take it on while also becoming the youngest head coach in NFL history. The job description in Buffalo is, more than nearly any other franchise in the league right now, Super Bowl or bust.

That would be a challenging situation for Udinski, whose first coaching role came in 2019 at Baylor. However, that doesn’t mean Udinski shouldn’t be among the Bills’ top candidates. Arguably the best offensive play-caller in the NFL, Sean McVay, was hired at 30, the same age as Udinski. He had more coaching experience than Udinski at the time, but the point stands: offensive-minded head coaches are in high demand in today’s NFL, and landing one of the best means taking some risk. Given that the Bills likely have only a few more seasons of Josh Allen in his prime, the time to be conservative has passed.

Time will tell what happens for Udinski. As it stands, though, it seems he's in a win-win situation. Either he gets to spend more time learning and developing in his current role, or he's given the keys to an offense led by one of the best quarterbacks of this century.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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