Former NFL head coach Bruce Arians hinted earlier this month that he has interest in the Cleveland Browns’ coaching vacancy, but there was some confusion about how serious he was. Arians clarified his stance on the job over the weekend.
In an interview with Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Arians confirmed that he would consider coming out of retirement for the Browns. He also said they are they only team he would be willing to listen to.
“I would listen to the Browns,” Arians said. “And only them.”
Arians, who has been calling games for CBS this season, said it is “mostly the fans” that make him want to coach in Cleveland.
“I’ve always loved Cleveland,” he said. “The fans, shoot, one of the best groups in the league and when I called their game this past year, I got that feeling about them.”
When he said a few weeks back that the Browns job is the only one he would consider, Arians also campaigned for the team to consider his good friend Chuck Pagano. It was unclear if Arians meant Cleveland is the only job he, personally, would consider or if he meant it’s the only job he would consider if he were Pagano or someone else looking for a head coaching job this offseason. His comments on Sunday clarify that he meant he would give consideration to coming out of retirement.
Arians was one of the most underrated coaches in football during his time with the Arizona Cardinals, and he has a long history of working with top quarterbacks like Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and Carson Palmer. If the Browns want someone who can help develop Baker Mayfield, the 66-year-old Arians has a great resume.
We’ve already heard some other high-profile names linked to the Cleveland job, but Arians should get an interview at the very least. He was the offensive coordinator with the Browns the last time they made the playoffs in 2002, so he already has a history with the franchise.
