Kitchens spent the final eight games of the 2018 season serving as the Browns' offensive coordinator.

CLEVELAND -- Although the Cleveland Browns have been doing their due diligence for the past week when it comes to the search for their next head coach, their final decision could come down to a familiar name.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Browns are set to interview Freddie Kitchens this week -- possibly as soon as Monday or Tuesday -- with the 44-year-old possessing a "realistic shot" of landing the job.

After being hired as Cleveland's running backs coach prior to the start of the 2018 season, Kitchens was promoted to interim offensive coordinator following the mid-season firings of Hue Jackson and Todd Haley. In eight games in the role, Kitchens proved to be an impressive play-caller, elevating the play of quarterback Baker Mayfield as the Browns amassed a 5-3 record.

At his press conference following the team's season-ending loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland general manager John Dorsey confirmed that Kitchens would in fact get an interview for the head coaching vacancy.

“I think he has earned it," Dorsey said. "He has done a nice job in his role as offensive coordinator. I think this organization wants to get to know him a little bit better. We will eventually get him in an interview slot and move forward.”

While the Browns have since interviewed multiple candidates -- including interim head coach Gregg Williams, New Orleans Saints assistant head coach Dan Campbell, New England Patriots Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores and Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus -- it's clear Cleveland has also kept Kitchens in mind. According to Rapoport, the Browns have denied other teams permission to interview Kitchens for their own offensive coordinator openings in an effort to give their future head coach an opportunity to retain the Alabama quarterback.