CLEVELAND, OHIO (TheOBR.com) - Good morning, Cleveland Browns fans! Here's your OBR Daily Newswire for October 15, 2025. Wednesday dawns with the Cleveland Browns down an additional receiver, as David Bell retires due to an undisclosed "off-field injury" that literally would risk "life and limb" if he returned to the football field. It's a sad note - I liked Bell as a receiver coming out of college - and shows us once again exactly how fragile NFL careers can be.
THE DAILY BLOVIATION
So… you're not happy with the Browns' putrid offensive display Sunday in the hellish landscape of Pittsburgh? I can't imagine you are.
In response to the Browns' awful offensive displays dating back to last year, attention naturally turns to the team's head coach and offensive leader, Kevin Stefanski, who has led the Browns through several years of docile punt-happy offensive behavior.
Many fans want Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam to part ways with the two-time NFL Coach of the Year and bring in a new voice. There's some merit to this. It may not be entirely fair to Stefanski, who is dealing with an unsettled situation at quarterback and wide receiver, as well as an aging or simply inadequate offensive line. Sometimes, though, it seems like the locker room just needs to hear a new approach and perspective every few years, at least in Cleveland.
I'm not advocating that Stefanski gets fired - I don't think he's the problem or that it would turn this aircraft carrier around - but let's look at the alternatives anyway.
The most likely candidate to replace Stefanski as interim head coach is Jim Schwartz. He has led a successful defense over the past few years and has some head coaching experience. His aggressive nature might help energize the Browns to get through what increasingly looks like another lost season.
But we're looking for a new voice on the offensive side in the long term, someone who can develop an existing or a new quarterback into the franchise leader this franchise has been searching for since the 1990s. Let's assume that the Browns are looking for someone who can rip apart and put the Browns' offense back together better than it was.
There's probably not a candidate out there who would get Browns fans celebrating in the streets, but there are some who could make a case:
Joe Brady, Bills OC. Probably viewed as the guy at the top of the list, Brady has helped Josh Allen become elite in a balanced offense. (Now sputtering.)
Josh Grizzard, Buccaneers OC. He's a hot name right now because of Baker Mayfield's revitalization under his tutelage.
Klint Kubiak, Seahawks. Again runs a balanced offense but isn't afraid to stretch the field. We've heard his name before, and he might be ready for his chance.
Kliff Kingbury, Commanders OC. Managed to create an offense around Jaylen Daniels (or simply fell into a good situation). Would reboot the offense for sure.
Matt Nagy, Chiefs OC. I'm not blown away by his Bears tenure or work with KC, but he's well-thought-of around the league.
Mike McCarthy, former Cowboys and Packers coach. Has worked for Jerry Jones, and after that, working for the Haslams would be a breeze.
Just for the record, the author of this Massive Morning Missive is unenthusiastic about most of these names. But we're talking hypothetically here.
Baker Mayfield and OC Josh Grizzard
Baker Mayfield and OC Josh Grizzard (Photo: Getty)
There are some other NFL names out there (Todd Monken, Arthur Smith) who merit a look, but some of the more exciting names are at the college level. Marcus Freeman is a name that should attract attention for his ability to manage a program back to the top, as he did at Notre Dame by getting them to the College Football Playoffs final. It's probably too soon to start pushing Curt Cignetti (Indiana) to the next level after just two years at an FBS college program, but there's not a hotter coach in the game (he would suggest you "Google him"). Perhaps the Browns could land Ciginetti and QB Fernando Mendoza in a package deal. But not likely.
The challenge here isn't listing qualified candidates for the role, but rather convincing them that they need to head to a coaching and quarterback graveyard in Cleveland. Many would likely demand player/personnel changes, both on the roster and front office, potentially setting the Browns' plan back a few years… if you assume there is a plan, beyond simply building around the strong 2025 class and the many draft picks available in 2026.
With a crucial game against the similarly struggling Miami Dolphins coming up, it might be wise to file away some of these names. I think we've all been through this enough times to know that changing quarterbacks or coaches isn't a golden ticket to success, but the exercise keeps us busy imagining an alternative reality where we aren't fans of the league's most misbegotten franchise.
Have a good one! GO BROWNS!
Newswire Bloviation Archive
OBR GOODIES
CLEVELAND BROWNS VIDEOS
Pete and Joe Week 6 - (youtube.com)
Browns 3D-Who could be on their way off the Browns roster with the trade deadline looming - (youtube.com)
CLEVELAND BROWNS ARTICLES
Cleveland Browns News Rumors 10/14: The End of an Era? - Barry
Pressure is Now on the Cleveland Browns Offense: They Need to Show Progress - Pete
Browns Pick a Bad Time to have a Rebuilding Season as the Division is having a Down Year and Up for Grabs - Fred
Cleveland Browns: What We Learned From Week 6 Loss to Pittsburgh Steelers - Sam
Cleveland Browns 2026 Safety Prediction - Jack
Week 7 College Quarterbacks Review - Joe
CLEVELAND BROWNS FORUM POSTS
ASK THE INSIDERS (VIP)
David Bell injury
Shedur at #2
Franchise QB
Barry and insiders
Depodesta follow up to Pete
QBs missing plays in scheme
Pete and Insiders-issues with team.
If the browns turn this around?
FU David Bell off field injury
Lane - Why is ABs leash longer ?
Who are our best 5 lineman?
Is AB at risk?
Gang of Three: 101325
Movement of the QB
Dillon's Speed and Touch
Tommy Rees and his role
INSIDER DISCUSSION (VIP)
Why aren't we bringing Jed Wills back?
THE WATERCOOLER
College QB Prospect Rankings as of 101425 16 prospects
A Question on Paul Depodesta
A simple question about coach Kev
A Show of just how bad this Offense is
I dont see the light at end of tunnel...bleakest ever for me
David Bell Retires
Joe Haden on Tomlin vs Stefanski
Mel Kipers top prospects 2026
October mock for 2026
Watch out for the AllStaff switch!!
OT: McDaniel criticizes Tua's comments
OT: Erie Roll Call
Jimmys Patience ?
My source - I dont have a source - Obvious
We have a crap organization - What does that mean EXACTLY?
OT: Ohio State Football
2025 - Cleveland Guardians - Trades, Free Agency and good stuff!
LiveWire Thread for 1014 - Twitter, Video, Articles
THE LIFT
Positive news from the world of sports and beyond...
LEGO gives MRI scanner toys to 1M children in hospitals. New research finds they really alleviate anxiety - (goodgoodgood.co)
Good for you, Lego, but why stop at children? I know grown-up men with busy careers, three kids, and houses in suburban Cleveland who could use a Lego MRI toy to help alleviate the stress of entering a noisy cave and staring at a blank slab of machinery just two inches away from their face for what seems like an eternity. The very thoughts of it fill me with anxiety. Give me one of those toys, dammit.
WRAPPING UP
When not dreaming up alternative Cleveland Browns realities where fans are happy enough with the franchise to support an independent site analyzing it , Barry McBride is the Publisher and Founder of the OBR and bloviates this nonsense every morning. You can follow him on Twitter @barrymcbride or write him at barry@theobr.com if you are so compelled.
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