Cleveland Browns Rumors: John DeFilippo an OC candidate?
Cleveland Browns helmet sits on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator search is in full swing, and it’s probably going to be just as wild as their head coaching search, which ultimately landed them Buffalo Bills solid defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. Despite their best efforts to embarrass themselves, the Browns organization managed to end up with a quality head coach, and they’ll be hoping for a much cleaner process in finding an offensive coordinator. Former Washington Redskins and Houston Texans offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has emerged as a candidate, Chicago Bears talented quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh seems to be on the shortlist, and now there is a reported third candidate involved (the Browns previously showed interest in Gary Kubiak and Alex Van Pelt, but Kubiak was hired by the Baltimore Ravens as their offensive coordinator yesterday and was never expected to join the Browns, while Van Pelt is now the Green Bay Packers QBs coach) in the Browns offensive coordinator sweepstakes.
According to the NFL Network’s Albert Breer, the Browns have shown “some interest” in Oakland Raiders QBs coach John DeFilippo, who is a Youngstown native. DeFilippo is currently in his second stint with the Raiders as their QBs coach, and he’s been coaching the position for his entire career.
The Browns are clearly looking to hire an offensive coordinator with a background in QBs, and it definitely makes sense due to the fact that QB is the biggest need on the roster since, you know, they don’t have a franchise signal-caller. Pettine is a great mind on defense, but the Browns need a very strong OC to help kick-start their sputtering offense and coach up the new, young talent they will bring in this offseason. If they end up settling for DeFilippo, who smells like a Plan C kind of candidate, then they will have likely failed in their search for an OC. Maybe I’m being too critical here, but DeFilippo has no OC experience and would be a scary hire due to his lack of a length resume. It’s possible he’s great, but the Browns can’t take that risk due to their need for a great OC.
Kyle Shanahan clearly looks like the Browns best option, as he is one of the best offensive coordinators in the NFL due to his past experience and intelligence; the Browns had better go after him hard. Cavanaugh would be a nice hire as well, but I have a feeling hiring a free agent guy like Shanahan would be easier.
Continue to watch for any rumors regarding the Browns and former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, because he is definitely one of the top names on the open market.