Cleveland Browns: Bruce Arians reiterates interest in becoming head coach

The Cleveland Browns head coaching vacancy is going to draw interest from many coaches, and former Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians is very interested in the job.

The Cleveland Browns are likely to interview a wide range of candidates for their head coaching vacancy. One coach that is hoping for a chance to interview is former Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians.

Early in November, Arians mentioned while calling a Browns game as an analyst that the only team he would come out of retirement to coach would be the Browns.

On Sunday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Arians shared that sentiment again and said he hopes he can land an interview.

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"“I would listen to the Browns,” Arians said. “And only them.”Arians went on to say that not only is he serious about shedding the microphone after just one year, but his wife (who famously welcomed his retirement) is on board with him returning."

Arians would go on to say that he loves Cleveland and the main reason that he wants to land the head coaching job is because of his appreciation of the Browns fan base. He also told Rapoport that he “got that feeling” about the Browns roster.

Arians was the Browns offensive coordinator from 2001-2003, and he has always had an affinity for the Cleveland organization.

When Arians was initially asked about wanting to become the Browns next head coach, he said that he was trying to get former Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano to become a candidate.

Arians is known to be one of the best offensive minds in football, which is why the Browns would certainly be interested in hiring the 66-year-old coach.

Under Arians in Arizona, Carson Palmer looked like a rejuvenated quarterback, playing his best football during the final seasons of his career with the Cardinals.

The hope would be that if the Browns hire Arians is that he could work the same magic with Baker Mayfield. He may not be one of the young offensive masterminds that the entire league is trying to find, but Arians has a proven track record in the NFL of helping his personnel excel.

Rapoport also asked Arians if he would consider keeping current Browns coaches Gregg Williams and Freddie Kitchens if he became the head coach.

"Arians did say that if he got the job, he’d keep Freddie Kitchens as offensive coordinator and would consider keeping defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, as well."

Kitchens was Arians quarterbacks coach with the Cardinals from 2013-2016, and then running backs coach in his final season with Arizona in 2017.

If Williams and Kitchens continue to have success as the Browns interim head coach and offensive coordinator, it may be hard for Browns general manager John Dorsey to let them walk at the end of the season.

Kitchens has made Mayfield look much more comfortable in the offense over the past few weeks, and Mayfield’s performance has shown that. And with Williams as the head coach, the overall effort from the team has been the best it has been all season.

Arians age may be a concern, but his passion for the Cleveland Browns organization and fan base may be exactly what the Browns need. It would be foolish of the Browns to not seriously consider Arians for their head coaching vacancy at the end of the season.