The Cleveland Browns have not yet hired a head coach, but they have began their process of looking for a GM.
According to Albert Breer, the Browns have starting doing reference checks and seeking permission to interview GM candidates.
The Browns have started reference checks and working on permission on GM candidates, per sources. The plan all along has been to pick the coach, and find a GM to pair him with.
So Cleveland’s working on Step 2 of its process.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 11, 2020
“The Browns have started reference checks and working on permission on GM candidates, per sources,” Breer posted to Twitter Saturday morning. “The plan all along has been to pick the coach and find a GM to pair him with. So Cleveland’s working on Step 2 of its process.”
Btw, this doesn’t mean a firm decision has been made … just that they’re winding down — if they’re down to 2 or 3 candidates (i.e. Stefanski, McDaniels, Saleh), that’s good enough to get the ball rolling on a few of those guys’ preferred GM types.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 11, 2020
As with the process of coaching interviews, the Browns must receive permission to interview executives from other teams, per their contract agreements with them.
One question that has been surrounding the Browns in the head coaching search process, has been control of the roster.
If the Browns do not offer full control of the 53-man roster, teams are not likely to permit their executive to interview for the job.
Without roster control, the move would not be considered a promotion, therefore it can be denied.
The Browns concluded their interviews yesterday with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels being the final interview candidate.
According to a report from Ben Volin, senior NFL writer for The Boston Globe, the Browns have narrowed the list of candidates to three finalists: Stefanski, McDaniels and Daboll.
NEXT: Ranking The Top 5 Quarterbacks From The 2018 Draft ClassTwo sources say the Browns plan to wrap up their process today and hope to have a hire by tonight or tomorrow. It appears to be down to McDaniels, Kevin Stefanski and Brian Daboll, three great offensive coordinators
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) January 10, 2020
I hope to hear more on the GM hiring soon, and I hope they pick the right person for the job this time. We need things to start going right here.