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The Browns still reportedly would like to end up with Adam Gase as their head coach per a report.

(AP)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns reportedly interviewed Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt Saturday, but he's likely to end up with the Lions, according to multiple reports.

Meanwhile, the Browns still hope to land Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase as their new head coach, league sources told CBS Sports' Jason LaCanfora.

He also reported that there's a good chance the Browns will interview Carolina defensive coordinator Sean McDermott if the Panthers lose Sunday to the 49ers in the NFC Divisional playoffs.

NFL.com and CBS Sports both reported that the Lions could move quickly to wrap up Whisenhunt as soon as the Chargers are out of the playoffs. Whisenhunt, 51, will face the Broncos in an AFC Divisional playoff game Sunday afternoon.

He interviewed with the Lions on Thursday, Titans on Friday and Browns on Saturday.

Gase, 35, the first name to surface in the Browns' search, might also be available to interview by Monday pending the outcome of Sunday's matchup. The Vikings and Browns received permission to interview him, but he declined until he was out of the playoffs.

The Browns have waited for Gase, but the Vikings apparently have not. They've reportedly concluded the interview portion of their search and have narrowed the field to three candidates: Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles (who interviewed with the Browns), Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

The Browns also remain very intrigued by Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, who lost the BCS national championship game Monday night to Florida State, LaCanfora reported. He said team officials realize that Malzahn might be a longshot considering he's happy at Auburn, but they love his uptempo offense. Furthermore, LaCanfora reported the Browns are "very high'' on Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, who would fit perfectly in Malzahn's offense.

McDermott, 39, was a longtime assistant for the Eagles, where he worked for current Browns CEO Joe Banner. He coached the Panthers defense to a No. 2 ranking this season after finishing 28th in his first season in 2011. They're also second in scoring defense and run defense this year and led the league with a team-record 60 sacks.

If the Browns land Gase, 35, it would prove wrong all the national critics who have characterized their search as a disaster. A source said he believed Gase was the Browns' initial top target.

Peyton Manning also most likely has talked up Gase to his good friend and Browns owner Jimmy Haslam.

In his first season as coordinator in 2013, Gase led the Broncos to No. 1 in total offense (457.3 yards per game) and points per game (37.9). Of course, any coordinator benefits from coaching the great Manning, who threw for a career-high 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns. For comparison's sake, the second-highest TD pass total was 39, by New Orleans' Drew Brees.

In 2012, Gase was part of the Broncos’ offensive staff that helped the unit finish No. 4 overall in the NFL with 397.9 yards per game—the second-highest output in team history—in addition to scoring 30.1 points per contest (third-highest mark in club annals).

Denver topped the 30-point mark in a team-record 11 games and finished with the best offensive scoring improvement in the NFL from the previous season (+10.8 points per game).

Gase was the Broncos quarterbacks coach in 2011 when Tim Tebow went 8-5 in 13 starts (including two playoff games). He also engineered five fourth-quarter comebacks.

He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant under head coach Nick Saban at LSU before joining the Lions in 2005.

Dolphins interview Farmer: Browns assistant general manager Ray Farmer interviewed for Miami's general manager position on Saturday, the Dolphins announced. Farmer was identified by the Miami Herald on Friday as the Dolphins' frontrunner.

Franklin to Penn State: One possible Browns candidate is off the list. Vanderbilt coach James Franklin, whom the Browns requested permission to interview, was named Penn State head coach Saturday morning. He reportedly signed a six-year deal worth $27 million to replace Bill O'Brien, who left to take the Texans head coaching job.

