Stefanski expects to return to Browns on Thursday
Browns rookie coach Kevin Stefanski said he’s on track to return to the team Thursday for playoff preparations after missing Sunday’s wild-card win in Pittsburgh with COVID-19.
Stefanski jokingly called himself “probable” when asked if he’ll be back as the Browns get ready to face the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
Stefanski, 38, tested positive with the virus last week and couldn’t be with his team when the Browns won their first playoff game in 26 years by upsetting the Steelers.
Stefanski watched the game from his home’s basement in Rocky River, Ohio, and admitted to pacing in front of the TV. Stefanski said he’s lost his sense of taste but had mostly mild symptoms during his illness.
Cleveland activated cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson from the COVID-19 list on Wednesday. Also, offensive line coach Bill Callahan returned after being one of four assistants sidelined by the virus.
Broncos hire ex-Vikings exec Paton
ENGLEWOOD, COLO. »
John Elway’s handpicked successor as Broncos general manager is Vikings executive George Paton.
Elway announced the hiring Wednesday, a day after Paton visited the team’s state-ofthe-art headquarters where the Super Bowl 50 trophy looks like a tribute to a bygone era with the franchise mired in a five-year playoff drought.
Paton, who agreed to a six-year contract, spent the last 14 seasons working alongside Vikings GM Rick Spielman in Minnesota, including the last six as assistant general manager. Since 2018, he also served as the team’s vice president of player personnel.
“It is an honor to be named general manager of an iconic franchise with a championship tradition like the Denver Broncos,” Paton said in a statement. “This organization has great resources, tremendous people, a talented young core of players and an outstanding
coaching staff.
Jets complete 2nd interview with 49ers’ Saleh without deal
NEW YORK » The search for a new coach continues for the New York Jets after they completed an in-person interview with San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh on Wednesday without apparently reaching a deal.
Saleh was the first of the nine known candidates to speak remotely with the Jets last week to be hosted by the team at its facility in Florham Park, New Jersey.
Saleh arrived Tuesday night and spent several hours with the team before meeting again Wednesday. It’s believed Jets chairman and CEO Christopher Johnson, team president Hymie Elhai and general manager Joe Douglas all met in person with Saleh over the two days.
The Jets announced on social media they had completed their second interview with Saleh, which typically has indicated that a candidate has left the facility.
If it doesn’t immediately reach a deal with Saleh, New York can host the other candidates initially spoken to whose team isn’t playing in the postseason. That would include Carolina offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Indianapolis defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, former Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis and Tennessee offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
The Jets have also interviewed Kansas City offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Buffalo offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, New Orleans defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn, and Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley — but their teams are still in the playoffs.
Chiefs’ Edwards-Helaire rejoins Hill, others at practice
KANSAS CITY, MO. » Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire practiced for the first time since getting hurt in Week 15, raising hopes the first-round pick can play against Cleveland on Sunday.
Edwards-Helaire had been out with a high-ankle sprain, causing him to miss the Chiefs’ final two regular-season games.
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill and linebacker Ben Niemann were back from hamstring injuries that hobbled them late in the season, along