NFL rules, Browns candidate list may be delaying interviews

Over 24 hours ago, the Cleveland Browns fired HC Kevin Stefanski. Since then, we’ve discussed that defensive coaches shouldn’t be overlooked, the thought that an offensive mind must be the hire, a player’s wife’s shot at Stefanski, and more. The Browns job may not be highly ranked, but Stefanski sure seems to be in demand.

Around the league, teams are lining up interviews with head coaches and, for those with openings, general manager positions. The Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, and Atlanta Falcons have multiple scheduled or are in the process of being scheduled. Cleveland, the first team to make a move on “Black Monday,” should be next as the Giants and Titans fired their coaches in-season and the Falcons got a jump start on Sunday night.

Since the Browns were last in the NFL coaching carousel back in 2020, the NFL has put rules in place to try to slow down the process, which could be impacting schedules for Cleveland and potential candidates:

• Teams will start requesting interviews with candidates early this week, and teams can interview candidates on teams who aren’t playing in the wild-card round beginning Wednesday (for everyone else playing Sunday).
• In-person interviews can’t begin until Jan. 19 unless the coach is not employed by a team, and a second in-person interview can’t take place until Jan. 26.

On top of that, the Rooney Rule still applies and requires two interviews now to satisfy.

Given the rules and no news of Browns interviews being set up, at least so far, it is fair to guess that Cleveland’s list of candidates is heavy on coaches playing in the wild-card round. The following teams and coordinators are unavailable at this time:

NFC Playoffs

• Los Angeles Rams – Mike LaFleur, Chris Shula
• Carolina Panthers – Brad Idzik, Ejiro Evero
• Green Bay Packers – Adam Stenavich, Jeff Hafley
• Chicago Bears – Declan Doyle, Dennis Allen
• San Francisco 49ers – Klay Kubiak, Robert Saleh
• Philadelphia Eagles – Kevin Patullo, Vic Fangio

AFC Playoffs

• Buffalo Bills – Joe Brady, Bobby Babich
• Jacksonville Jaguars – Grant Udinski, Anthony Campanile
• Los Angeles Chargers – Greg Roman, Jesse Minter
• New England Patriots – Josh McDaniels, Terrell Williams
• Houston Texans – Nick Caley, Matt Burke
• Pittsburgh Steelers – Arthur Smith, Teryl Austin

The Browns could interview coordinators from the two top seeds: the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks. Sean Payton has Joe Lombardi and Vance Joseph leading his staff, while Mike Macdonald has Klint Kubiak and Aden Durde as his top coordinators.

For now, Cleveland fans sit and wait for news of who might take the next head coaching job.