NFL
Jan 13, 2026
The Cleveland Browns have requested a head coach interview with Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase. Here’s why he’s drawing league-wide interest. Photo by: X
The Cleveland Browns are looking at more options for their head coach and have asked to interview Nate Scheelhaase, who runs the passing game for the Los Angeles Rams.
This shows that Cleveland wants to check out leaders who focus on offense as they try to find a fresh start and get things stable with a new head coach.

If you're a football fan between 14 and 25, this is a typical NFL situation: a lesser-known assistant coach quickly becomes a real possibility for a head coaching job.

You might not know Scheelhaase yet, but he's becoming a hot name among NFL coaches.
Category | Detail |
|---|---|
Current Role | Rams Pass Game Coordinator |
Coaching Tree | Sean McVay |
Strength | Offensive design, QB development |
Reputation | Detail-oriented, modern thinker |
Scheelhaase has worked under Sean McVay, and he's been part of an offense that people respect because it is creative, flexible and gets the job done.

Cleveland's interest is no accident. The Browns are trying to find:
A clearer offensive strategy
Ways to get the most out of their quarterback
A long-term plan for their offense
Scheelhaase's background in a system that throws a lot and focuses on exploiting matchups fits what they need.
A short internal decision logic sums it up:
Browns: “We need direction.”
Search committee: “Let’s talk to someone who builds offense weekly.”
The Rams' offense focuses on:
Well-timed passes
Varied route designs
Motion before the snap
Easy reads for the quarterback
Scheelhaase has had a big hand in building this system, mainly in planning the passing game each week.
Given the Browns' skilled offense that doesn't always deliver, this experience is important.
Cleveland isn't the only team interested. The Las Vegas Raiders have also shown interest, which means Scheelhaase is becoming a serious head coach contender.
When many teams want to interview someone, it usually means:
They have good support inside the organization.
People around the league think highly of them.
They seem like they could be good leaders.
That's how coaches quickly get noticed in the NFL.

It seems the Browns are eyeing a McVay assistant, signaling they're after:
A current offensive scheme
Growing players
Building for the future instead of quick fixes
This aligns with what we're seeing across the league, where teams are valuing coaches who can build a system over those who are just good motivators.
For younger NFL fans, this coaching hiring season shows how teams are thinking:
Being a star player doesn't guarantee you'll be a head coach.
Good game plans and prep work beat out just being popular.
True leaders often work outside the spotlight.
Scheelhaase is part of a new kind of NFL coach: calm, smart, and focused on the system.

Like any first-time head coach candidate, Scheelhaase has some question marks:
He's never been a head coach before.
He's never been a coordinator.
He's moving from being an assistant to a CEO-type leader.
Lots of today's winningest coaches started out in similar ways, though.
The Browns will:
Interview candidates.
Compare them.
Check if they're good leaders.
Keep looking into them.
Just because they ask for an interview doesn't mean they'll make an offer. But it does mean they're really interested.
The Browns want to talk to Nate Scheelhaase, and it's not just because of his name. It's about their core beliefs.
Cleveland is looking at the NFL's best offenses, trying to figure out who can create a system that sticks.
Scheelhaase may or may not get the job, but his success shows where the league is going.
The Browns are watching closely.