Ripple Effect? Browns Hire Rob Chudzinski

The Cleveland Browns’ coaching search has led them to Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.

Joe Banner has chosen Chudzinski as the team’s new head coach, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. Banner and the Browns heavily pursued Chip Kelly, but when it became clear that the Oregon coach wasn’t going to Cleveland, they focused their efforts elsewhere. The Browns interviewed several candidates, including Ken Whisenhunt, Bill O’Brien and Ray Horton.

Chudzinski spent the past two seasons as the Panthers offensive coordinator. He previously worked as an assistant with the Chargers and the Browns.

So, what does this mean for the Eagles? At the beginning of the process, it appeared Banner and Jeffrey Lurie would be battling for the same candidates: Chip Kelly, O’Brien, Doug Marrone. But after Kelly decided he was staying put, the two franchises went their separate ways. The Eagles have shown interest in Brian Kelly, Lovie Smith and Gus Bradley, among others.

The Browns are the third team to fill their head-coaching vacancy. The Chiefs hired Andy Reid. And the Bills hired Marrone.

After the Jaguars fired Mike Mularkey Thursday, that leaves five positions open: Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Chicago, Arizona and San Diego.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.
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