Paton, team have second interview in GM search

George Paton might have moved to the front of the line as the leading candidate to become the Browns’ next general manager.

Paton, currently the assistant general manager of the Minnesota Vikings, spent Jan. 22 at Browns headquarters in Berea for a second interview to take the job that opened when John Dorsey and team owner Jimmy Haslam parted ways on Dec. 31 when Dorsey wouldn’t accept a demotion.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam on Jan. 2 said he would let the new head coach have influence in hiring the next general manager. That was before the search committee settled on Kevin Stefanski as head coach.

Stefanski was an assistant coach with the Vikings from 2006-2019. He and Paton worked together for 13 years in Minnesota.

Stefanski was a presenter Jan. 22 at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards show at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Cleveland. He was intentionally vague in a session with the media when asked about the general manager search.

“I think we’ve had some really qualified candidates in there,” Stefanski said. “It’s always fun to talk football with all of them. So I think we’re gathering information as we go.”

Stefanski was asked about his relationship with Paton and whether that will tip the scale in Paton’s favor.

“My relationship with him is very similar to my relationship with most all of the people in that (Vikings) building,” Stefanski said. “It’s a great place. I’m going to miss a lot of those people, and I’ve reached out to them and told them that. But definitely a bunch of special people in that building.

“I don’t want to single anybody out. I just know that Dee and Jimmy (Haslam, Browns owners) have done their due diligence to make sure that we bring in some really qualified people and again getting to get them in our building and talk to them and understand that shared vision that we all have, I think it’s been a good process. I don’t think we have a timeline (to hire a general manager).”

Paton’s main competition for the job is coming from Andrew Berry, the vice president of football operations for the Eagles. Berry worked in the Browns front office from 2006-2018.

Haslam hired Berry four years ago when he promoted salary capologist Sashi Brown to director of football operations. Brown, Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta and Berry ran the Browns’ draft in 2016 and 2017.

Paton has had other chances to become a general manager, but declined the chance to become GM of the New York Jets. He is regarded as a keen talent evaluator.

Berry was still with the Browns during the 2019 coaching search when he and DePodesta preferred hiring Stefanski over Freddie Kitchens. So Stefanski would have a connection with either candidate if Haslam does end up going with Berry.

The new general manager will have final say on the 53-man roster no matter who gets the job, Haslam said.

Stefanski will have final say on the game-day roster.

In other news, Stefanski confirmed hiring Bill Callahan as offensive line coach. He also confirmed he is retaining special teams coordinator Mike Priefer and assistant special teams coach Doug Colman.

Stefanski has also chosen to retain running backs coach Stump Mitchell. The remainder of Freddie Kitchens’ staff from 2019 has been dismissed.

Stefanski was also vague on his plans for hiring an offensive coordinator. He might hire a quarterback coach and be his own offensive coordinator.

“That remains to be seen, but we’re definitely looking at all avenues as we try to put a staff together,” he said.