Browns out as Eagles, Oregon Ducks jockey for Chip Kelly

Chip Kelly becoming head coach of the Browns appears unlikely. The Oregon coach, who as we've reported as always been 50-50 with regards to his NFL future, appears to be deciding between the Eagles and staying in Eugene.

On Friday there were reports that Kelly was close to a deal to become the next coach of the Browns, and even though he was scheduled to meet with the Eagles for lunch on Saturday, Cleveland seemed poised to welcome Kelly to town.

But on Saturday, that lunch turned into a loooong lunch, and reportedly, Philadelphia's meeting with Kelly lasted past midnight. The scheduled meeting with the Browns for Saturday didn't happen, and some of that optimism faded.

"... There is little question that on Friday night, [Cleveland] thought it was close to signing Kelly, one of the more inventive offensive coaching minds in the country," CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman writes.

"Several outlets, including the NFL Network and ESPN Cleveland, as well as me, reported this fact. A source says the Browns aren't happy with how Kelly has handled negotiations with them and some in the organization feel Kelly used them to get a better offer from the Eagles."

The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Oregon booster Phil Knight has entered the fray and that he might be a big reason Kelly could return to Oregon.

If you follow CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora, this latest news shouldn't be a surprise. As he wrote last week, "As one source with ties to Kelly pointed out this week, it's still roughly 50-50 that Kelly leaves college, and several execs said this week they have heard that Kelly might be only lukewarm at best about the Philadelphia opening."

La Canfora also writes, "There have always been major hurdles to overcome. No one knows exactly what he's going to do until he informs his players he is staying or going."

So, what would all of this mean? Well, it might make Kelly more toxic to any possible NFL job openings in the future, especially since he basically reneged on a possible deal last offseason with the Buccaneers. But also this:

Chip Kelly returning to Oregon after the past wk would be a jolt but it'd also be a huge win for Ducks AND college football

— Bruce Feldman (@BFeldmanCBS) January 6, 2013

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