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As if things couldn’t get weirder in Cleveland, it now appears that the Browns are having a power struggle between general manager Andrew Berry and owner Jimmy Haslam.
After experiencing difficulty hiring a head coach, the team eventually settled on former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, but Browns reporter and ESPN radio host Tony Grossi pointed out the owner ignored the advice of a search committee.
“This indicates that Haslam was never comfortable with [Rams passing game coordinator Nate] Scheelhaase, and he went against the recommendation of his search committee leader and GM,” Grossi said Wednesday on the Cleveland-based radio program.
“So, you got to wonder about the future of Andrew Berry – this is all on Haslam.”
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam apparently made the call to bring in Todd Monken. Diamond Images/Getty Images"This indicates that Haslam was never comfortable with Shceelhaase and he went against the recommendation of his search committee leader and GM," – @TonyGrossi on the Browns hiring Todd Monken. pic.twitter.com/m9zrMafquj
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) January 28, 2026Three candidates withdrew from consideration for the job, with reports trickling out that the Browns were forcing prospective coaches to submit essays and do personality tests as part of the coaching search.
It initially appeared that every head coaching candidate would need to keep defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz — also a candidate — on their staff, but it now appears he is upset that he didn’t get the top job and said his goodbyes inside the building Wednesday.
“Is Schwartz the DC or not? That would help me accept [Monken being the head coach],” Grossi said. “If he’s not, you’re going to get an offensive coordinator or defensive coordinator off the grid.”
Scheelhaase, the Rams’ 35-year-old passing game coordinator, was a finalist for this job and also interviewed for the Bills’ vacancy, but will likely to return to Los Angeles for the 2026 season.
Andrew Berry appears to have wanted Nate Scheelhaase as head coach. Diamond Images/Getty ImagesBefore securing the top Browns job, it was expected Monken would land in New York as the offensive coordinator on new Giants coach John Harbaugh’s staff.
One of Monken’s first orders of business will be figuring out the quarterback situation this season, with Deshaun Watson, Dillon Gabriel and Pro Bowl quarterback Shedeur Sanders on the roster.
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