The Browns face competition in their search for a running backs coach in the form of Duce Staley.
In Cleveland, there is competition for Duce Staley, the former Panthers running backs coach, who recently interviewed with the Browns. Staley, aged 48, is being considered to replace the recently fired Stump Mitchell. The Browns are planning to extend an offer to Staley, according to a source. However, the New York Jets are also expressing interest and are planning to make a similar offer.
Staley, a former third-round pick of the Eagles in 1997, would be tasked with taking over the Browns’ running game, which ranked 12th in the NFL this season despite losing star running back Nick Chubb to a season-ending knee injury early in the year. The team employed a running back by committee approach in Chubb’s absence. While Staley’s interview with the Browns took place at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, the Jets are also vying for his services.
The Browns faced challenges in the running game during the wild card round, particularly in their 45-14 loss to the Texans, where they managed only 56 yards on 20 carries against the league’s sixth-ranked run defense.
Staley, who won a Super Bowl as a player with the Steelers in 2005 and as a coach with the Eagles in 2017, has an extensive coaching background. He spent five seasons with the Eagles, including their Super Bowl-winning campaign in 2017, alongside Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Staley also served as the Lions’ assistant head coach and running backs coach in 2021 and 2022, and as the Panthers’ assistant head coach and running backs coach in 2023, until he, head coach Frank Reich, and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown were let go in November after the team’s struggles.
Considering the uncertainty surrounding Chubb’s recovery from knee surgeries, the Browns may be seeking additional support in the running back room and are exploring new ideas after parting ways with Mitchell following a five-season tenure.
Additionally, there is speculation about the Browns potentially interviewing Tim Kelly, Deshaun Watson’s former offensive coordinator with the Texans. Watson has expressed admiration for Kelly, who recently served as the Titans passing game coordinator and offensive coordinator. Kelly became available when coach Mike Vrabel was fired, and he has interviewed with the Chargers while drawing interest from the Falcons and Seahawks. Whether the Browns will pursue an interview with Kelly remains to be seen.
