Jan. 19, 2026, 8:38 a.m. PT

The Cleveland Browns are showing real interest in Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase as they search for their next head coach. After already interviewing him once last week, the Browns want to meet with him for a second time, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The bad news for Cleveland is that it will need to wait a week before it can hold a second interview with Scheelhaase. NFL rules prohibit teams from interviewing coaches who are participating in the conference championship game until after their game is played.

As a result, the Browns can’t meet with Scheelhaase until next Monday, so they’ll have to decide whether he’s worth waiting for, or if they want to move forward with another candidate.

Scheelhaase has never been an offensive coordinator in the NFL, nor has he called plays at this level. He was the OC and QBs coach at Iowa State before joining the Rams in 2024, but he could make the jump straight from pass game coordinator to head coach if he’s hired this year.

At just 35 years old, he fits the mold of teams looking for their version of Sean McVay.

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