Shedeur Sanders may not yet be officially under center for the Cleveland Browns, but the highly touted quarterback prospect is already paying close attention to who could be leading the franchise next season.
After a disappointing 5-12 campaign, the Browns made a decisive move to begin the offseason by firing head coach Kevin Stefanski, ending his six-year tenure and launching a wide-ranging search for a new leader.
With the coaching vacancy now open, Cleveland has quickly entered the interview phase.
On Friday morning, the Browns confirmed they had requested an interview with Dan Pitcher, the offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals.
The move immediately drew attention across the league, as Pitcher has quietly built a reputation as one of the NFL’s brightest young offensive minds.
Earlier in the week, Cleveland began by looking internally. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz both sat down for interviews, giving ownership and the front office a baseline for comparison as they evaluate outside options.
What makes Pitcher particularly intriguing is his long-standing connection to Browns general manager Andrew Berry.
The two worked together with the Indianapolis Colts, where Berry hired Pitcher into the scouting department back in 2012, when Pitcher was just 25 years old.
Now 38 and turning 39 next week, Pitcher has steadily climbed the coaching ladder, joining the Bengals in 2016, becoming quarterbacks coach for Joe Burrow, and ultimately being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2024.
On Wednesday, veteran Browns reporter Tony Grossi of 850 AM in Cleveland noted on X that Pitcher was “gaining traction” as a legitimate replacement for Stefanski, reinforcing the idea that his candidacy is more than exploratory.
Do the Browns go young and offensive, or swing big?
While Pitcher is clearly in the mix, the broader question remains whether the Browns want an ascending coordinator or a proven, high-profile name.
Cleveland has also requested interviews with Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Arden Durde and former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
Beyond that, even bigger names have surfaced. Reports emerged this week suggesting the Browns would be interested in Mike McDaniel after his firing from the Miami Dolphins.
Cleveland.com reporter Mary Kay Cabot wrote: “The #Browns are interested in Mike McDaniel, who was fired by the #Dolphins, for their head coach job. He was WR coach here under then OC-Kyle Shanahan in ’14, and the Browns have long admired his brilliant offensive mind.”
Another potential blockbuster option is former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
Fellow Cleveland.com reporter Dan Labbe suggested owner Jimmy Haslam could match the massive deal once given to Jon Gruden by the Las Vegas Raiders. Labbe noted that Harbaugh could receive a “Jon Gruden-style contract that he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, which I think was 10 years, $100 million. It was a huge number. Jimmy could offer that.”
Still, for now, momentum appears to favor Pitcher, whose offensive reputation is closely tied to the development of Joe Burrow.
Even though Cleveland does not currently roster a quarterback of Burrow‘s caliber, the potential arrival of Shedeur Sanders makes the fit compelling.
Burrow himself has been unequivocal about Pitcher‘s impact. “Our relationship is as good as it gets,” Burrow said of Pitcher.
“I wouldn’t be the player I am today without him. He’s been preparing for this for years. He takes his job very seriously and does it with a lot of passion.”
For a young quarterback like Shedeur Sanders, that endorsement alone may say everything about who he hopes is calling plays in Cleveland next season.
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