Browns in fresh coaching blow but Shedeur Sanders receives boost after Rams defeat

The Cleveland Browns continue to search for a new head coach.

After firing Kevin Stefanski on the day of the NFL‘s ‘Black Monday’, the Browns have been searching for a new captain to run the ship.

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Having already interviewed multiple candidates for the opening, Cleveland has been dealt just as many withdrawals from consideration, the latest being Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski.

Udinski will reportedly stay in his role at Jacksonville unless he lands the Buffalo Bills head coach role following Sean McDermott’s shock dismissal after their playoff exit in the divisional round.

The Jags OC follows Jesse Minter, who accepted the role of head coach with their AFC North rivals Baltimore Ravens, and Mike McDaniel, who is eyeing an offensive coordinator position elsewhere.

Meanwhile the fired Stefanski has already landed on his feet, penning a deal to take over the reins from Raheem Morris at the Atlanta Falcons after their 8-8 campaign in 2025.

But, following the Los Angeles Rams‘ 31-27 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game on Sunday night, the Browns could finally be edging closer toward making a hire.

According to ESPN reporter Daniel Oyefusi, Cleveland, who have interviewed Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, could make the hire following a second interview on Monday.

“With the Rams losing tonight, the Browns could conceivably hire Nate Scheelhaase after conducting a second interview with him in Los Angeles tomorrow,” Oyefusi wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday night.

Scheelhaase was passed up on by the Pittsburgh Steelers as they went on to appoint veteran head coach Mike McCarthy – much to the dismay of the Steel City faithful – and now the Browns could swoop in and get their man.

The 35-year-old has spent just two years in the NFL, but has very quickly risen up the ranks under Rams head coach Sean McVay.

He has also already built valuable experience after spending the 2023 season as the offensive coordinator at Iowa State under Matt Campbell.

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What does this mean for Shedeur Sanders?

With the Cleveland brass reportedly very keen on appointing Scheelhaase as the next head coach, per Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot, this ultimately begs the question: What does this mean for Shedeur Sanders?

The son of NFL icon Deion Sanders had to contend with draft-day disappointment and work his way up from being listed as fourth on the Browns’ quarterback depth chart all the way up to starter.

In his first career start, the 23-year-old made franchise history by winning the game, and would go on to lead Cleveland to three of their five total wins in what was otherwise a hugely disappointing campaign.

The Browns appointing a progressive offensive mind from the McVay coaching tree could unlock the potential of a fairly raw NFL prospect in Sanders.

In the 2024 season, the Rams offense spearheaded by veteran Matthew Stafford ranked 15th in the NFL.

In the 2025 regular season, though, in which Scheelhaase played a more prominent leadership role as the pass game coordinator, the Rams ranked No. 1 in offense due to their 4,707 passing yards (second-best in the league), 46 passing touchdowns (the most in the league), and 23 sacks allowed (the second-best mark).

He also helped 37-year-old Stafford – a leading MVP candidate – and the Rams offense to within one game of reaching the Super Bowl.

With that in mind, Scheelhaase clearly possesses the attributes to turn an offense around, and could use that experience to help a young quarterback like Sanders play more to his tailored skillset.

Sanders playing at his best, and with a well-organized offensive line, could be dangerous for any opposition, granted he earns the starting role in 2026, with $230 million Deshaun Watson expected to compete as well.

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