Jacksonville, Fla. — In a notable turn of events in the NFL coaching carousel, Grant Udinski, the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, has removed his name from consideration for the Cleveland Browns’ head coaching vacancy. Instead, he has signed a new contract with the Jaguars, which includes a raise for the 2026 season, as confirmed by a league source reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Despite interviewing with the Buffalo Bills for their head coaching position just a day prior, the Bills opted for Joe Brady as their new head coach, prompting Udinski to secure his future in Jacksonville. While he did not call plays in his first season—under head coach Liam Coen’s direction—Udinski played a critical role in developing the offense, which finished strong with sixth in scoring, eleventh in total yards, and twelfth in passing yards. Notably, under his guidance, quarterback Trevor Lawrence achieved a career milestone, throwing 29 touchdown passes and accumulating 38 total touchdowns, ranking third in the NFL behind only Matthew Stafford and Josh Allen.
Udinski’s ascent in the coaching ranks has been swift; he began his NFL journey in 2020 as an assistant with the Carolina Panthers, later joining the Minnesota Vikings before rising to his current role with the Jaguars in a matter of a few years.
His withdrawal marks the third candidate to step back from the Browns’ head coaching search, following Jesse Minter, who accepted a position with the Baltimore Ravens, and Josh McDaniel. The Browns are now left with several remaining contenders, including defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, Commanders run game coordinator Anthony Lynn, and former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
Udinski’s decision to stay with the Jaguars reflects a growing trend in the league, where coaching candidates are weighing the stability and potential for success in their current roles before jumping to new opportunities. This strategic career decision might pave the way for further development and successes for the Jaguars in the upcoming seasons.