3 most recent updates to the Cleveland Browns coaching search

Josh McDaniels is the favorite for Browns?

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has been considered one of the favorites for the Browns head coach vacancy since the job became open. Now it is appearing that he is emerging as the favorite for the job.

Benjamin Allbright of the Pro Football Network shared on Monday that he believes McDaniels is the top candidate for the Browns opening, citing that the 43-year-old coach has long been the favorite of Browns ownership.

McDaniels has yet to interview with the Browns because of the Patriots playing during Wild Card weekend. But now that the Patriots are out of the playoffs, McDaniels is free to interview at any time and can be signed to a contract at any time.

Although there is concern about McDaniels’ commitment to a team other than the Patriots, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com was told it would be tough for McDaniels to turn down the Browns job because it is his hometown team.

If McDaniels has a strong interview with the Browns and emerges as the leader in the eyes of the entire Browns search committee, it would not be surprising to see a deal come together by the end of the week. The Browns have competition with the Carolina Panthers, but the presence of Baker Mayfield and Cleveland being McDaniels’ hometown team could ultimately make the Browns the job that McDaniels prefers.