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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) watches quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during day two of rookie minicamp May 10, 2025, in Berea, Ohio. Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Is Browns Head Coach Search Hurt By Shedeur Sanders?

Originally posted on Stadium Rant | By Wayne Gregoire | Last updated Jan 18, 2026 6:21 PM ET

While the Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants have found someone to lead their teams on the field, the Cleveland Browns’ head coach search seems to have hit a skid. The team has interviewed its own offensive and defensive coordinators (Tommy Rees and Jim Schwartz). While Schwartz has the endorsement of defensive stars Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward, it seems like Cleveland is grasping for scraps with outside candidates.

Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is considered, but he might decide to be an offensive coordinator for the Giants rather than be the head coach of the Browns. The team is also strongly considering Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase. Mike McDaniel is also interested, but it’s not like teams are beating down his door.

So, why have the Browns had so much trouble getting top-flight candidates to come in? It could be that the team is perpetually bad, and the head coach is the one who usually pays for it. It could be that, despite being a fantastic city and having an elite defense, nobody wants to coach against the Steelers, Ravens, and Bengals twice a year. One possibility that can’t be ignored is the team’s quarterback situation.

The 2025 NFL Draft Class

Former head coach Kevin Stefanski did not exactly have one of his Coach of the Year seasons in 2024, finishing with a 3-17 record. The silver lining was that the team finished badly enough to get a top-five pick in the NFL Draft. The downside is that it was a quarterback-thirsty draft. Cam Ward was the top pick, and some speculated that Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders would also be a top pick. Cleveland felt he was ot worth the fifth pick in the draft, though.

When the Browns decided to address the quarterback position, at pick 94, with Sanders still on the board, they took Dillon Gabriel out of Oregon. With pick 144, allegedly due to pressure from ownership, the team selected Sanders. Hailed as the steal of the draft, Sanders was expected to compete for the starting job in camp. By everyone except Stefanski, that is.

Gabriel started six games from October 15 through November 16. The team went 1-5 in those games, getting outscored 106-132. Gabriel completed 58.9% of his passes for 153 yards per game and six touchdowns to two interceptions. Fans finally got what they were clamoring for in a loss to the Ravens, when Gabriel got hurt, and Sanders got his chance. He wouldn’t fare much better.

Coach Prime’s kid went 3-4 in seven starts, with the team getting outscored 117-145. He completed 59.2% of his passes for 193 yards per game, to go with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. The Browns won’t pick until sixth in the 2026 NFL Draft, and it’s another poor draft for signal callers. It’s highly likely that whoever comes in to coach the team, that they are being told that Sanders has to be given every shot to prove he’s as good as Mel Kiper thinks.

End Of My Cleveland Browns Head Coach Rant

Maybe Sanders is a future Hall of Fame player who just hasn’t gotten a fair shake so far. For the time being, it appears that he is an obstacle in the way of Cleveland landing a top coaching candidate. It’s one thing to come into a situation with a top-10 pick at the helm, but when it’s the 144th pick, it’s unlikely any coach will want to attach their abilities and legacy to that scenario. Whoever takes the job better have a large buyout clause in their contract, because the Browns will be looking for another head coach in three years.

This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

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