After firing Kevin Stefanski, the Cleveland Browns have faced a new roadblock in the search for a head coach. After former Miami Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel withdrew his name for the role, the Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has decided to do the same.

Minter, on January 16, completed his first interview with the Browns, but decided not to move forward with his second as he waits for other opportunities. Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot first reported the development.

“Breaking: #Chargers DC Jesse Minter is not interviewing for the #Browns HC job today as scheduled, likely because he feels like he has other HC opportunities that are more certain, sources tell clevelanddotcom,” Cabot wrote on X.

Minter joined the Chargers as their defensive coordinator in 2024. In his first season, the Chargers finished 11th in the league in total defense, allowing an average of 324.4 yards per game. They allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards per game at 206.9, as well as the fewest points per game in the league. Then this season the Bolts were fifth in total defense, allowing 285.2 yards per game, and gave up the fifth-fewest passing yards per game at 179.9 yards.

Bringing in Jesse Minter could have indicated the Browns’ organization pivot to a defensive identity which certainly has been a strength with likes of veteran defensive Myles Garret, who broke the single-season sacks record and linebacker Carson Schwesinger, who was named the PFWA 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year among others. But as the Chargers’ DC has withdrawn his name, the Browns’ head coach search continues.

While the Cleveland Browns still look for the perfect head coaching candidate, the franchise will also began a search for a new offensive coordinator after Kevin Stefanski’s first big decision as part of the Atlanta Falcons.

Stefanski poaches Cleveland OC after joining Atlanta

After being named as the new Atlanta Falcons head coach, Kevin Stefanski has brought in someone familiar as the team’s new offensive coordinator. Rejoining Stefanski’s coaching staff, the Falcons have signed former Browns OC Tommy Rees to fill the role. Rees has worked with Kevin Stefanski in 2024 as the pass game specialist and tight ends coach before moving into the coordinator role in 2025.

In his first season as the OC, the Browns finished with a 5-12 record while averaging 16.4 points per game and 262.1 yards per game. These low numbers were a result of Cleveland using three quarterbacks who combined for 2,807 yards passing and 16 touchdowns.

However, Rees’ impact was seen on rookies Quinshon Judkins (RB) and Harold Fannin Jr. (TE). The running back led the Browns with 998 yards from scrimmage, including 827 yards on the ground, and seven rushing touchdowns. Whereas the tight end led the team with 731 yards receiving and six touchdown grabs. This immediate progression could be positive signs for Falcons star Bijan Robinson, who has quickly established himself as one of the best running backs in the league.

Whether, Stefanski and Rees can improve from their 2025 season, only time will tell but the Atlanta fans would hope that these coaching hires lead to immediate positive results for the franchise in the 2026 season.