CLEVELAND, Ohio (TheOBR.com) Good morning, Cleveland Browns fans!
THE DAILY BLOVIATION
I went down to the local drug store and got one of those flu shots yesterday. People have been speaking in guarded, hesitant tones about the ferocity of this year’s flu season, so I figured it was probably a good idea.
The only problem, which wouldn’t be evident from simply looking at my regal, majestic personage, is that I’m kind of a lightweight and tend to feel like crap whenever I have a flu shot, COVID shot, shingles, etc.
All this goes to say that I, as the White Stripes once memorably said, have a head that feels like pancake batter. I’m simply incapable of any big thoughts, so let’s look at today’s Newswire and just offer some quick impressions to save my brain from actually having to “work” (such as it is).
I’M HERE FOR YOU: We’ve had a flood of new or returning subscribers this week, and I’d like to say “Welcome!”, or “Welcome Back!”. Pete, Lane, and the gang are hanging out and furiously posting responses to questions in Ask the Insiders, participating in Insider Discussions, and updating Rumor Central. If you’re a new subscriber and have any issues finding your way around here, please feel free to DM me on the boards or write me at barry@theobr.com.
THE HARBAUGH BETTING MARKET: People bet on anything these days, including on issues that weigh heavily on the minds of Browns fans, like hoping for an outside chance to land ex-Ratbird head honcho John Harbaugh. The Giants are in the lead, not because of any back-office whispering or clear, open indicators of interest, but merely because the roster is perceived as the most capable for a new coach. No one knows what’s really going on in Harbaugh’s head right now. The Browns fare poorly in these early lines because they lack a sure-thing franchise quarterback. But none of us know Harbaugh’s priorities or decision-making process. There’s little sense in the betting market to be Cleveland’s next head coach, although Kliff Kingsbury (?!?) was an early leader. For what it’s worth, The Athletic says that the Browns are the third-most promising landing spot for Harbaugh, who will not do any interviews until next week .
THE BROWNS EXPAND THEIR LIST: Proof that having Joe Burrow, J’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins makes one smarter, Bengals OC Dan Pitcher is a candidate for the Browns job. Sam pointed us to this article on Pitcher from March 2025, and I came out of it much more intrigued by the Bengals OC. Pitcher used to work for Andrew Berry as a scout with the Colts, so he brings that pre-existing relationship to Cleveland.
NO NEWSPAPER IN PITTSBURGH: Pittsburgh, of all places, once had a newspaper. I didn’t know reading was a “thing” down there. Still, yesterday, Block Communications decided to shutter the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette after more than 200 years of operation. Management blames labor, and vice versa, per usual. It’s amazing to me that a newspaper in such a sports-crazed town couldn’t stay in business. “When in doubt, cover the Steelers”. would have been my mantra.
WHISPERING IN EARS: After coaches are released and happy situations broken up, you hear a lot of crazy things start to emerge. Pete Prisco said on air saying that Kevin Stefanski wasn’t a fan of the Deshaun Watson trade, breaking four years of silence about the disaster. I saw hints that “new voices were needed” emerge about Stefanski, and can just imagine how that got to the media. Most amusing is to see a little battle between Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport about always ill-defined question of whether John Harbaugh lost the locker room. It all depends on whose agenda creates phone calls, as the opposite has been reported as well.
Have a good one! GO BROWNS!
OBR GOODIES
OBR VIDEO
Inside the Browns Beat – ft. Nathan Zegura! – (youtube.com)
OBR ARTICLES
Cleveland Browns 2026 Defensive Roster Prediction – Jack
Cleveland Browns Film Room: What Could John Harbaugh and Todd Monken Bring to Cleveland – Sam
What Weve Been Told: Cleveland Browns Coaching Search – Pete and Lane
Cleveland Browns News and Rumors 1/7/26: A Chance at Redemption – WRITER
OBR MESSAGE BOARD POSTS
Question on Tackles… Converting a TE to OT
2 part Question for insiders-Qb room directionGMHC hot seat?
Will Harbaugh interview w the Browns?
how can the browns draft arch in 27
Arch manning – do they know it’s a pipe dream?
Pitcher and Similar Candidates
Questions concerning when Stef got in trouble – Lane
Does Dan Pitcher also have an inside track in this process?
Follow Up to Adding A QB from RC
FU on the why, the Browns view on no ideal place.
why is the Browns Job not perceived not ideal?
Lane is the non-NFL HC OC DC coaching candidate
Browns HC Interview Request: Bengals OC Dan Pitcher
Follow Up on Petes Latest on Stefanski
OT: Best Scene Stealer Supporting Performances
Being Reasonable regarding Sheduer Sanders
When In Doubt They Blame Berry!
Your Browns Player of the Year 2025
Definition of a successful hire on Day 118 of the Master Plan
Devin Bush Named AFC Defensive POTW
OT: Ty Simpson entering NFL Draft
Aden Durde: Seahawks DC in the mix
LiveWire Thread for 17 – Twitter, Video, Articles
OT: Who are some of the smartest people ever in your eyes?
The suitability of Berry to conduct a coach search
THE LIFTPositive news from the world of sports and beyond…
‘Tron: Ares’ debuts on streaming today: Here’s how to watch Jared Leto’s sci-fi AI blockbuster – (space.com)
WRAPPING UP
When not —, Barry McBride is the Publisher and Founder of the OBR and bloviates this nonsense every morning. You can follow him on Twitter @barrymcbride or write him at barry@theobr.com if you are so compelled.
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