The Cleveland Browns have decided to fire executive VP Sashi Brown, but owner Jimmy Haslam said head coach Hue Jackson will return in 2018.
In a statement released by the team, Haslam said the organization is entering a pivotal offseason and must strengthen the personnel department.
Yes, the Browns could change their minds at some point over the coming months and part ways with Jackson. After all, the 2017 squad is 0-12 heading into the final four weeks of the regular season.
In all likelihood, Cleveland will hold the No. 1 overall selection in the 2018 draft. And the Browns cannot afford to whiff on another quarterback.
They passed on Carson Wentz in 2016. He’s now an MVP candidate with the Philadelphia Eagles. They didn’t pick Deshaun Watson in 2017. Before an ACL injury ended his season, the Houston Texans signal-caller was surging toward Rookie of the Year.
Jackson made himself an attractive coaching candidate because of his offensive mind, but that hasn’t showed with the Browns yet. It’s reasonable to think 2018 is Jackson’s final chance to prove he can turn around a struggling franchise.