Shedeur Sanders set for awkward reunion with coach he refused to play for as Browns launch $100m plot

The Cleveland Browns are hot on the trail of Ohio native John Harbaugh.

After firing two-time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski, the franchise could replace him with the man who won the award in 2019.

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Harbaugh’s spell with the Baltimore Ravens ended after 18 seasons, sparking a race for his signature.

The Browns may not seem the most attractive vacancy on paper, but the respected coach grew up a Cleveland fan and a rumored $100 million contract may ease concerns over the lack of a franchise quarterback.

Shedeur Sanders was the hot hand to end the season with Deshaun Watson injured and Dillon Gabriel struggling.

The former Colorado quarterback fell to the Browns in the fifth round, where he was reportedly a target for Harbaugh’s Ravens.

“In fact, the QB situation could actually work in the Browns’ favor. Reports indicate that Harbaugh and Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken – who will also meet with the Browns – wanted to draft Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the NFL Draft,” wrote beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot.

The one sticking point for Sanders could be claims that he turned down the chance to sign for Baltimore, knowing he would end up being Lamar Jackson‘s backup.

Harbaugh may not have liked that attitude from a day three selection.

Ironically, Sanders would have seen the field sooner if he had ended up with the Ravens as Jackson missed most of October with hamstring issues.

After starting the season fourth on the depth chart, he had to wait until November to make his debut, coming off the bench against the Ravens before becoming the first Browns quarterback to win on his first NFL start since Eric Zeier in 1995.

Sanders is the 42nd passer to start for Cleveland since 1999 — an NFL high — and still has work to do to prove he is the future.

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Cleveland Browns could spend big on next head coach

The new coach will take over one of the league’s best defenses and if the Browns can finally get it right at quarterback, the path to success is there.

Cleveland.com’s Dan Labbe thinks owner Jimmy Haslam will go all out to secure Harbaugh.

“All those Cleveland ties. They could maybe sell him on this defense,” he said.

“He said some great things about this defense during the season and was very complimentary of the Browns.

“The big thing is, we know this: Jimmy Haslam is not afraid to spend money.

“They could have John Harbaugh come in, and he could offer him a Jon Gruden-style contract that he signed with the Raiders, which I think was 10 years, $100 million. Jimmy could offer that.”

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The New York Giants and Miami Dolphins have also been strongly linked with Harbaugh.

Cleveland defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is another leading candidate, alongside Chris Shula and Kliff Kingsbury.

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