And the plot thickens.
Even before the 2012 version of Black Monday saw seven NFL head coaches whacked, Oregon’s Chip Kelly had been connected to a potential move up the football ladder. This week, Kelly’s name has been attached to a handful of openings, particularly as it relates to coaching vacancies with the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles.
Kelly has continually brushed aside speculation regarding his coaching future, saying today that “I don’t expect anything” when it comes to fielding offers from NFL clubs before adding, “I do not know what the future holds.”
Based, on one report, that future includes feeling out at least one potential offer in very short order.
According to a report credited to “ESPN.com news services,” Kelly is scheduled to interview with the Browns Friday in Arizona. The Eagles are expected to interview Kelly as well, although it appears Cleveland will get the first “shot” at prying Kelly away from the collegiate ranks.
Kelly is in Scottsdale putting the final touches on preparations for the Ducks’ Fiesta Bowl game against Kansas State.
New Browns owner and president Jimmy Haslam and Joe Banner, respectively, are also in Arizona interviewing at least one other potential candidate, although Jason La Canfora of CBSSports previously reported that Banner’s presence is “primarily to make a pitch for Chip Kelly.”
One report has already pegged Kelly as the top choice of the Browns. That’s believed to be the case when it comes to the Eagles as well. Kelly has also been connected to the Carolina Panthers.
If both the Browns and Eagles swing and miss on Kelly -- as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did a year ago -- each reportedly will turn their attention in part to Penn State’s Bill O’Brien and Syracuse’s Doug Marrone. It had previously been reported that O’Brien is strongly considering at least listening to NFL teams interested in him.
UPDATED 6:34 p.m. ET: In addition to the Browns and Eagles, USA Today is reporting that Kelly will also interview with the Buffalo Bills.