The Browns need to work on their first date approach.
Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter became the second known candidate to turn down a second head coaching interview with Cleveland on Thursday, joining ex-Miami coach Mike McDaniel, per Cleveland.com.
Minter skipped out on the Browns, “likely because he feels like he has other HC opportunities that are more certain,” according to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot.
He has interviewed with the Ravens, Cardinals and Raiders, per Pro Football Talk.
The Browns are one of the six jobs still open — along with the aforementioned teams, plus the Steelers and Bills — and it’s fair to have them ranked toward the bottom of that list.
There are always ownership questions with Jimmy Haslam, and there’s uncertainty at quarterback with the rising second-year tandem of Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
While McDaniel axed an interview to head to the Chargers as their offensive coordinator, Minter is banking on being a head coach next season.
His declining of a second interview leaves Cleveland with four finalists in defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, according to Cleveland.com.
Minter, 42, may end up coaching twice per year against the Browns should he land with Baltimore.
The Ravens are arguably the best available job in this cycle, and he would inherit a strong roster that includes two-time MVP Lamar Jackson.
Minter also has ties to Baltimore.
He served on the Ravens staff from 2017-20, beginning as a defensive assistant and then becoming the assistant defensive backs coach and ultimately the defensive backs coach.
The Raiders provide the opportunity to coach the No. 1 pick, which is expected to be Indiana national champion and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, but their roster is lacking.
Minter would also then be coaching twice per year against Jim Harbaugh, who he followed to the Chargers from Michigan two seasons ago.
The Cardinals job falls more in line with the Browns, with uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position and a long history of losing.
Los Angeles ranked fifth in yards allowed per game and ninth in points yielded per contest this past season during an 11-6 campaign.
