One of the big questions surrounding the Cleveland Browns as the 2018 season wraps up is whether interim head coach Gregg Williams takes over the role full time. There are pros and cons to that decision, but it overlooks a current Browns staff member who might make an even better permanent head coach:

Freddie Kitchens.

The offensive coordinator has taken the league by storm since taking over for deposed predecessor Todd Haley. Kitchens has clicked with rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield and installed a more creative, aggressive and smartly balanced play structure to the Browns offense. The blocking scheme has improved, helping running back Nick Chubb thrive in his more prominent role.

Kitchens has brought excitement and swagger to the Browns offense, playing to the strengths of his gifted young skill position players. There are times where the creativity and innovativeness backfire, but that’s the cost of doing business with the rookie play-caller.

Nearly every conversation on Cleveland sports radio or in national media circles about the Browns head coaching future involves some sort of edict that the team must keep Kitchens. He’s too valuable to Mayfield and the offense to let him go. Any prospective head coach, whether it’s Williams or Bruce Arians or (insert speculative name here), must keep Kitchens.

What if the Browns pre-empt that argument and just make Kitchens the head coach?

If he’s that coveted, why not take the same chance that the Rams did with the precocious Sean McVay, or the Steelers did with Mike Tomlin a decade ago? Instead of worrying about his fit with a new boss, making Kitchens the head man flips the script. He could find a veteran defensive coordinator to manage that side of the ball.

He certainly lacks experience, but promoting Kitchens to the head coach position would keep the energy and passion flowing around Mayfield and the impressive young offense.

At minimum, it’s worth John Dorsey’s time as Browns GM to interview Kitchens for the head coaching job.