NFL Rumors: Here’s The Latest On Josh McDaniels’ Browns Interview

Josh McDaniels’ head-coaching interview with the Cleveland Browns on Friday lasted roughly seven hours, according to reporters on the scene in Berea, Ohio.

McDaniels and his wife, Linda, were seen leaving the Browns’ facility shortly after 5 p.m. ET.

The New England Patriots offensive coordinator was the eighth coach to interview for the Browns vacancy. He and Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski are viewed as the front-runners, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Also in contention are Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Mike McCarthy also interviewed for the job but has since been hired by the Dallas Cowboys.

The Browns have no further interviews planned but are not expected to make their final decision Friday, per reports from NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport and Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Cabot reported the team could even wait until after the postseason before hiring a replacement for Freddie Kitchens, who was fired last week after one 6-10 season.

McDaniels has served as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator for each of the last eight seasons and 12 of the last 15. The 43-year-old was raised in Canton, Ohio, and played college football in the Cleveland area at John Carroll University.