Source: Browns interviewing Patriots’ scouting boss for GM job

CLEVELAND >> The Browns will interview Patriots director of college scouting Monti Ossenfort for their general manager’s job, a person familiar with the meeting told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Ossenfort will talk with the Browns on Friday, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Cleveland is also expected to meet with Eagles vice president of football operations Andrew Berry and Vikings vice president of player personnel/assistant general manager George Paton.

Berry previously worked in Cleveland’s front office from 2016-18.

New Browns coach Kevin Stefanski is helping the team choose its new GM, and his familiarity with Paton could make for a natural fit.

Ossenfort has spent 15 seasons with the Patriots and is in the final year of his contract. He worked his way up from personnel assistant to area scout, national scout and assistant director of college scouting.

Panthers name Brady offensive coordinator

CHARLOTTE, N.C. >> The Panthers are hoping Joe Brady can bolster a sagging offense like he did at LSU.

Carolina officially announced Thursday that Brady will be their new offensive coordinator after one year as LSU’s passing game coordinator. Brady won the Broyles Award given annually to the top assistant coach in college football after helping the Tigers to a 15-0 season and a national championship.

LSU finished first in the nation averaging 568.5 yards and 48.4 points per game on offense.

The 30-year-old Brady becomes the NFL’s youngest active offensive coordinator.

“To win a national championship with all the hard work those players put in and to be able to call yourself a champion at the college level — that’s something they can’t take away from you,” Brady told the team’s website Thursday. “And now here I am in Charlotte representing the Panthers. It’s hard to put into words. But I’m really excited for the future.”

Vinovich chosen as Super Bowl ref because of highest rating

NEW YORK >> Two people familiar with the assignment tell The Associated Press that Bill Vinovich was chosen to work this year’s Super Bowl because he had the highest rating among referees.

The selection of Vinovich has met with some disfavor from players and fans, noting that he was the referee in last year’s NFC championship game marred by an egregious missed penalty call on the Rams that helped them get to the Super Bowl.

Vinovich will be working his second Super Bowl and 14th career playoff game.

That includes three conference championships.