Cleveland Browns Rumors: Are Mike McCarthy, Bruce Arians Possible Head Coaching Candidates?

The Cleveland Browns finished the 2018 season with a 7-8-1 record, giving them seven more wins than they recorded in 2017. However, the midseason firing of head coach Hue Jackson left the rising team’s top spot open, meaning there are a slew of rumors surrounding the suddenly successful Browns.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reported last week that the Browns intend to interview at least a dozen candidates, perhaps implying there is no front-runner for the position just yet.

Monday morning brought increased clarity to the situation. The Browns will interview interim head coach Gregg Williams for the job, as expected, but they will also interview interim offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens for the head coaching gig, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Williams went 5-3 as a head coach this season, while Kitchens revitalized an offense that had struggled under previous playcaller Todd Haley. However, Williams was only 17-31 in three seasons as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills in the early 2000s, and his name was tarnished by the Bountygate scandal.

NFL reporter Peter King said Williams would not be a “serious candidate” for the job. The Browns could theoretically move on from Williams and retain Kitchens, who helped guide Baker Mayfield to one of the finest passing seasons by a rookie in league history.

Meanwhile, Pelissero reported that the Browns have requested an interview with Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. The 48-year-old coordinator was credited with helping the Colts defense allow the 10th fewest points in the NFL.

Lastly, two names to watch for are former Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians and former Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy. Arians said in November the Browns were the only team he would consider coaching after his retirement last season. He compiled a 49-30-1 record as the head man in Indianapolis and Arizona.

McCarthy, meanwhile, was recently fired by the Packers after 13 seasons on the job. Arizona Republic sportswriter Bob McManaman said over the weekend he was told McCarthy would get the Browns job. McCarthy went 125-77-2 with a Super Bowl championship in 2010 in Green Bay.