CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns officially interviewed Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase on Friday for their vacant head coaching position. General Manager Andrew Berry is moving fast to replace Kevin Stefanski, who was fired after a disappointing 5-12 season in 2025. Scheelhaase, just 35 years old, arrives with the hottest resume in the league after orchestrating the NFL’s top-ranked offense this past year.
The Architect of the NFL’s Most Lethal Air Attack
Scheelhaase isn’t just a rising name; he is the engine behind a Rams unit that finished 2025 leading the NFL in scoring, passing yards, and total offense. Under his guidance, veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford enjoyed a career renaissance, leading the league with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns. The aerial assault saw Puka Nacua haul in a league-high 129 receptions, proving Scheelhaase can maximize elite talent.
Before jumping to the pros in 2024, Scheelhaase spent a decade in the college ranks at Illinois and Iowa State. He is credited with the development of San Francisco 49ers star Brock Purdy and New York Jets standout Breece Hall during his time with the Cyclones. His ability to mentor young quarterbacks is the primary draw for Cleveland, as the team looks to build around 2025 rookie starter Shedeur Sanders.
“Benito—Scheelhaase—is a great coach. He has great leadership and a great capacity for the game. He has a tremendous impact on our team and our group as a whole.” — Sean McVay, Rams Head Coach
The Competitive Landscape in Cleveland
The Browns are casting a wide net, with Scheelhaase being one of 12 potential candidates linked to the opening. He joins a heavy-hitting list that includes Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Bengals OC Dan Pitcher, and former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. Cleveland also looked internally, interviewing current offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Scheelhaase is a man in high demand. Beyond the Browns, he has already drawn significant interest from the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Las Vegas Raiders for their respective head coaching vacancies. If Berry wants to secure the Sean McVay disciple, he may have to act before the weekend concludes to prevent a rival from snatching the league’s brightest young offensive mind.
