How real is Browns' interest in Dolphins' Mike McDaniel amid Kevin Stefanski rumors?

Recent reports revealed that the Cleveland Browns have "done their preliminary research for a potential move" at head coach and could view Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as an eventual replacement for Kevin Stefanski. 

During the latest edition of the "Orange and Brown Talk Podcast," Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer discussed the club's alleged interest in McDaniel.

Browns are "very intrigued by" possibly hiring Mike McDaniel

"I know this, and I’ve known this for a long time, is that they think very, very highly of Mike McDaniel [as a] brilliant offensive mind," Cabot said about the Browns. "I know they like him as a play-caller, and everyone can see what he can do. He’s sort of an offensive genius, wizard-type of guy that does some very innovative things, and I know the Browns would be very intrigued by that."

Jimmy and Dee Haslam acquired primary ownership of the Browns in 2012, less than two full years before McDaniel began his only season (2014) serving as Cleveland's wide receivers coach. More recently, McDaniel failed to guide the Dolphins to a playoff win over his first three campaigns with that organization. Miami will enter Week 18 of this season with a record of 7-9.

Meanwhile, the Browns seemingly have decided to retain general manager Andrew Berry. Thus, one could conclude that Berry led the franchise's "preliminary research" regarding the hiring of a new head coach. Stefanski has earned Coach of the Year Award honors on two occasions during his Cleveland tenure, but he's about to complete a fourth losing season in five years.

Would Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel?

"How do you fire a coach that has won six of his last nine games?" Cabot added about a Dolphins side that was 1-6 in October. 

The Dolphins and general manager Chris Grier "mutually" agreed to part ways on Oct. 31, and history shows that a different executive could want to start fresh with a new head coach. It's fair to wonder whether or not Miami's to-be-hired GM would reach out to Stefanski if the Browns ultimately go in a different direction as soon as next week.