When the Browns landed Norv Turner as their offensive coordinator last year, it was regarded as a key hire for Rob Chudzinski and the Browns. Turner would bring his vertical, high-powered passing game to the Browns offense.
It appears Turner will join Mike Zimmer with the Vikings as the team's offensive coordinator according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Browns offense ranked 18th overall (27t rushing, 11 passing) and scored just 308 points (19.8 per game). They averaged 338.9 yards per game with three different quarterbacks.
The Browns had four players on offense named to the Pro Bowl in Joe Thomas, Alex Mack, Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron. Gordon and Cameron had breakout seasons with 87- and 80- receptions, respectively. Gordon led the NFL in receiving yardage with 1,646 yards, despite missing the first two games of the season.
The Browns are the only team currently without a head coach and it is presumed that Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase is at the top of their wish list. The Broncos play the Patriots in the AFC Championship this weekend and Gase has said he did not wish to interview for any other positions until the Broncos season is over.
BROWNS TO INTERVIEW BILLS DC MIKE PETTINE
The Cleveland Browns will interview Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine on Thursday. READ MORE
The only candidates the Browns have interviewed thus far that have not accepted other positions or withdrawn their names from consideration are Seahawks' defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and former Titans head coach Mike Munchak.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam sent a letter to Browns fans on Wednesday saying the team had "a number of candidates" they wished to interview.
The Bills announced they had granted permission to allow defensive coordinator Mike Pettine to interview for the Browns head coaching position. Other names mentioned as candidates are 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
Also, Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton has been given permission to interview for the Titans defensive coordinator position and re-unite with Ken Whisenhunt whom he worked in the same capacity with the Cardinals under Whisenhunt.
