OC Grant Udinski Says YES to Cleveland Browns, Set to Become Youngest Head Coach in NFL History per Adam Schefter

Cleveland, Ohio – January 19, 2026 — The Cleveland Browns appear on the verge of one of the most daring coaching decisions the NFL has seen in decades. According to Adam Schefter, Cleveland and Grant Udinski have effectively said “yes” to each other following a highly successful second interview. If finalized, the move would make Udinski, just 30 years old, the youngest head coach in league history.

Udinski emerged from the Browns’ second round of interviews as the clear frontrunner, impressing ownership and football operations with his command of offensive structure, leadership presence, and long-term vision. While Cleveland plans to complete interviews with remaining candidates to satisfy league protocol, sources indicate alignment between both sides is already strong. One decision-maker described the meeting as “decisive,” leaving little doubt about who the organization believes can lead its next chapter.

The rapid rise of Udinski has been impossible to ignore. After early developmental roles with the Panthers and Vikings, he gained league-wide attention as offensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2025, Jacksonville finished 13–4, ranking near the top of the NFL in passing efficiency, rushing touchdowns, and overall scoring balance. Udinski’s offenses were praised for clarity, adaptability, and quarterback-friendly design — traits Cleveland has long sought.

For the Browns, this pursuit represents a philosophical shift. Rather than defaulting to recycled experience, Cleveland is signaling a willingness to invest in innovation and growth. Udinski’s age may be unprecedented, but internally it is viewed as an advantage rather than a risk. “He doesn’t coach like someone learning on the job,” a source close to the process said. “He coaches like someone who already sees where the league is going.”

Nothing has been signed, but momentum is unmistakable. If completed, Udinski would surpass Sean McVay’s once-unthinkable benchmark as the NFL’s youngest head coach. More importantly, he would symbolize hope for a franchise desperate to break free from cycles of false starts and resets. In Cleveland, the future is no longer abstract. It may already have a name — and it belongs to Grant Udinski.