Cleveland Browns rumors: Team talking to Canadian Football League coach

The search could get interesting for the Cleveland Browns, as rumors indicate the team has talked to a Canadian Football League coach.

Look for Cleveland Browns rumors to heat up this week, with Josh McDaniels interviewing today and Kevin Stefanski to come later in the week.

That said, there was an interesting nugget involving the Browns talking to Canadian Football League coach Ryan Dinwiddie.

The report comes from TheLandonDemand.com’s Tony Grossi (subscription), who cited two anonymous sources as stating the Browns are indeed talking to the Toronto Argonauts coach. Interestingly, Dinwiddie just got the gig in Toronto. He was previously employed as a quarterbacks coach for the Calgary franchise.

The 39-year-old was a quarterback during his college days at Boise State and spent a couple of seasons on the Chicago Bears practice squad.

It’s important to note that while the Browns have talked to Dinwiddie, they have not reached out to interview him, according to Grossi.

"“Sometimes you interview guys out of curiously,” Grossi’s source said. “I don’t think Jimmy [Haslam] would let them do something like that. But he is open-minded.”"

Grossi shared this tidbit based off what Haslam said at his press conference, that the Browns are focusing their search on NFL coaches with experience.

The owner added “Right now” when sharing that news, so he left the door open to explore other opportunities. Obviously, the No. 1 candidate outside of the NFL is Urban Meyer, but as Dinwiddie’s name shows, the coaching search has the potential to get creative.

Imagine the search getting to this point, though. The perceived favorites for the job are Josh McDaniels, Kevin Stefanski and Mike McCarthy, yet they’re all interview for other jobs. The Browns have to compete against the Giants, Panthers and the Cowboys. If Haslam is left empty handed, then all bets are off.

Another complexity to the search involves Paul DePodesta’s contract. It was reported McDaniels wouldn’t be interested in joining the organization with the Moneyball Man at the top of the food chain.

With DePodesta’s contract running out this week, could he be cast aside if it means the owners get their man in McDaniels?