Rumors: 3 New names in Cleveland Browns coaching search

Matt Eberflus

NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport wrote Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus could be considered or inquired about as the Browns begin their head coaching search after Week 17.

Eberflus is a native of Toledo who played collegiately with the Rockets. He’s been employed by the Browns before, working as a defensive assistant under Eric Mangini and former defensive coordinator Roby Rob Ryan.

He’s bounced around as an NFL defensive assistant and a college coordinator, but now his name’s being tossed around as a head coaching candidate because of the job he’s done turning around Indy’s defense.

Eberflus was one of the coaches burned by McDaniels when the Patriots assistant appeared finally read to fly the coup and assume the Colts’ head coaching gig two offseason ago. Eberflus took the job, then McDaniels backed out.

Eberflus stayed in Indy to work for a team that was without a head coach.

Eberflus adapts, which is interesting because there are parts of the Browns ownership may not want to part with, such as offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens.

The fact that Eberflus was willing to stick it out on in Indy in a cloudy situation may suggest he can co-exist with Kitchens, who’s drawn rave reviews for his work with Baker Mayfield.

He also adapts on defense. His background is in the “Tampa 2,” which is typically based out of the 4-3 defensive scheme. But that time he spent working under Ryan, he worked with the 3-4.

No Browns fans want to implement a switch in defensive philopshies with Myles Garrett rushing off the edge in a 4-3 base. That won’t won’t have to change under Eberflus.