#HeyTony: What happens if the Browns don’t comply with the Rooney Rule?

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.

Hey Tony: In theory, couldn't the Browns simply choose to violate the Rooney Rule and pay the fine that comes with it? I believe the Detroit Lions had done this previously. 

-- Rick, Sugar Creek, MO

Hey Rick: The Lions were fined $200,000 for violating the Rooney Rule in 2003. Twenty-three years later, the NFL is much more vigilant in enforcing the rule. Discipline is at the discretion of the Commissioner Roger Goodell and could include loss of draft picks plus a greater fine. It’s also possible the NFL would invalidate the hiring. Overall, not a great idea to do what you propose.

Hey Tony: So what now for search for HC?

-- Mike, Ceres, CA

Hey Mike: Nothing that’s happened this week – the withdrawal of Mike McDaniel and Jesse Minter – has altered the Browns’ search. It’s down to Grant Udinski, Nathan Scheelhaase and Todd Monken in some combination with Jim Schwartz.

Hey Tony: Even with the front office kicking the Deshaun Watson contract down the road another season, will the Browns be able to make significant improvements to their roster (including OL & WR) via free agency this spring?

-- Mike, Auburn Township, OH

Hey Mike: They have to do another Watson salary-to-bonus conversion just to get under the cap. There are others who might also receive contract adjustments (Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, Jerry Jeudy, etc.). These contract adjustments also will push cap charges into the future, which creates immediate cap room for some free agency activity but ultimately must be accounted for by the next GM, which will make the job less attractive, and so on, and so on …

Hey Tony: Do you think the big picture for this next coaching hire is more about the ‘27 draft with Arch Manning and Jeremiah Smith or trying to win now?

-- Jean, Canton, OH

Hey Jean: Everything the Browns are doing is about the future, not 2026.

Hey Tony: Jimmy Haslam said this was the most critical 120 days. This AB HC search seems to be a disaster on all levels. Is it possible Jimmy sees this and intervenes for the good of the team?

-- Ryan, Phoenix, AZ

Hey Ryan: There is always the possibility of a Haslam surprise, but I believe he was always sold on the idea of hiring the next, great offensive genius. The Browns may believe they are honing in on him.

Hey Tony: Why don’t they just promote Schwartz, hire one of the young guns as OC and give him the keys to the offense?

-- Max, Ashland, OH

Hey Max: Still a possibility.

Hey Tony: Do you think the Browns are getting turned down by minority candidates right now because candidates view those interview requests as a transparent attempt to meet the Rooney Rule requirements?

-- Paul, San Francisco, CA

Hey Paul: I don’t know, but that’s always a possibility when you get to the point of having to interview a candidate solely to comply with the rule.

Hey Tony: Why are some media and “insiders” trying to gaslight Browns fans into believing that there is a plan at work here, and that this coach search soundtrack isn’t Yakety Sax (again)?

-- Jason, Stow, OH

Hey Jason: I can’t speak for them.

Hey Tony: Have the Browns reached out to Mike McCarthy or Sean McDermott?

-- Drew, Castalia, OH

Hey Drew: As I write this sentence, not to my knowledge.

Hey Tony: Would Duce Staley be a good HC candidate for the Browns? He could be a CEO HC who has some fire and you can surround him with Schwartz and a young upcoming OC.

-- Don, Cleveland, OH

Hey Don: They know him better than me and they didn’t think so.

Hey Tony: Are you concerned the Browns seem flat-footed in this coach search with as many coach vacancies already filled and we can’t even seem to meet the basics like Roney rule, or is it just me?

-- Mike, North Olmsted, OH

Hey Mike: It is what it is. Let’s let the process play out before drawing conclusions.

Hey Tony: Looking at the coaching staff of the favorites, would you like it if Udinski brought in Josh McCown as OC or Scheelhaase bringing Dave Ragone as OC? Both are QB coaches on the same staff. 

-- John, Stow, OH

Hey John: Sure. But keep in mind, the Rooney Rule applies to offensive coordinator hires, too. Two external minority candidates must receive an in-person interview before a hire can be made.