The Cleveland Browns and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan parted ways Thursday after reports surfaced that friction between the coaching staff and front office became an issue for the first-year assistant.
Shanahan, among others, is a candidate to fill the head-coaching vacancy with the Buffalo Bills. He reportedly will interview for the job Thursday morning.
Shanahan is reportedly intrigued by the idea of coaching again under his father, Mike Shanahan, with whom he worked for four years on the Washington Redskins staff as offensive coordinator before both were fired after last season.
The Bills, San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders already have interviewed Mike Shanahan and would consider hiring the father-son duo with Mike as head coach and Kyle as offensive coordinator, according to Cleveland.com. Mike Shanahan could also interview with the Chicago Bears, where he would reunite with quarterback Jay Cutler.
Cleveland.com reported one source as saying some coaches became angered when play calls were recently requested or suggested via text from the press box by a high-ranking non-coaching staff member.
There were also hints that the front office placed pressure on coaches to have rookie Johnny Manziel play over starter Brian Hoyer.
Manziel started two games this season and completed 18 of 35 passes for 175 yards and added nine rushes for 29 yards. He was placed on injured reserve after injuring his hamstring in Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers.