Jaguars OC Grant Udinski Shocks NFL: Withdraws from Browns HC Race, Eyes Bills Job After New Deal

Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski has stunned the coaching carousel by officially withdrawing from the Cleveland Browns’ head-coach search—just hours after completing a second interview in Berea. A league source confirmed the decision Monday morning, noting that Jacksonville quietly extended Udinski with a significant pay bump that keeps him tied to quarterback Trevor Lawrence through at least 2027. Yet the 30-year-old play-caller is not shutting the door on every opportunity. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Udinski is still pursuing the Buffalo Bills’ vacancy created when Sean McDermott was dismissed earlier this month. If Buffalo goes in another direction, Udinski will remain in Jacksonville, where he orchestrated the NFL’s No. 4 scoring offense in 2025 and helped Lawrence post career highs in passer rating and touchdown passes. Key takeaways for Browns fans • Cleveland’s search now focuses on Rams pass-game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and incumbent defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, both of whom completed in-person interviews over the weekend. • Udinski was considered owner Jimmy Haslam’s preferred “offensive mind,” but the Browns did not want to match Jacksonville’s revised contract terms. • Cleveland hopes to finalize its hire before the Senior Bowl kicks off next week in Mobile, Ala. Why Buffalo still looms large Udinski grew up in Scranton, Pa., and has strong ties to the Northeast recruiting footprint that Bills GM Brandon Beane values. Buffalo also boasts an elite quarterback in Josh Allen and a roster built to contend immediately—two factors that insiders say appeal to Udinski’s analytical, pass-first philosophy. What’s next 1. Bills brass will conduct second-round interviews on Tuesday; Udinski is expected to meet with ownership virtually if the Jaguars deny an in-person visit. 2. The Jaguars must brace for a potential late-cycle scramble if Udinski lands the Bills job; rising quarterbacks coach Chris O’Hara is viewed as the in-house favorite to replace him. 3. Expect the Browns to wrap up their search by Friday, with Scheelhaase currently viewed as the front-runner given his deep background in wide-zone concepts that mesh with Nick Chubb’s return from injury. SEO watchlist: Grant Udinski, Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator, Buffalo Bills coaching vacancy, Cleveland Browns head-coach search, NFL coaching rumors 2026.