Sources: Browns’ tension could lead to changes

PITTSBURGH – Tension on the Cleveland Browns‘ coaching staff could lead to changes, including the possible firing of offensive coordinator Todd Haley and/or head coach Hue Jackson, if the team continues to lose games, sources told ESPN.

NFL Network was the first to report the possible moves, which it said is caused by dysfunction within the team on the offensive approach.

Jackson and Haley have been at odds, and the respect level is not what it should be between the two for a team to be successful, the source said.

The biggest concern for the team is that any ongoing drama between the two may affect or even impair the development of first overall pick Baker Mayfield.

Jackson’s statements after the loss to the Bucs that he had to be all-in to help solve offensive problems were not received well within the team.

It’s hard to know for sure which way Browns ownership would lean if it came down to choosing between Jackson and Haley. What’s certain, according to one source, is that any decision the team makes would be with Mayfield and his development as the highest priority.

“It’s hard to make the case that changing the offense six games into the quarterback’s career is the best thing for him,” an NFL source told ESPN’s Dan Graziano.

Winning would be the surest way to change the situation and stop the internal drama, but it’s tough for a team to unite and win if there is in-fighting taking place.

After the overtime loss to the Bucs, Jackson said he wanted to to “help” address offensive issues because that is his forte. That led Mayfield to say the team needed to refine what it did and not “reinvent the wheel.” Haley attributed Jackson’s remarks to the emotion a coach feels after losing, but did not mention Jackson once in his Thursday media gathering.

The possible removal of Haley ultimately would be decided by owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, and Jackson has not yet brought it up, the source said. The owners could side with Jackson or Haley, or let the situation play out and change staffs after the season.

Jackson knows he has to wear the 1-31 record from his first two seasons, but he was given a third year with the team based on the belief the problems with the first two seasons were more in personnel than coaching. There is thinking around the NFL that as the head coach, he takes the brunt of struggles, so if he’s going to struggle he may as well do things the way he wants.

The hiring of John Dorsey as general manager was supposed to ease the struggles, and Dorsey overhauled the roster — especially with the addition of quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor via trade and Mayfield.

But the Browns have lost two in a row after a 2-2-1 start, and struggled with just three first downs in the first half against Tampa Bay, which ranks 32nd in the league in passing defense (Haley pointed out the second half was much better). The Browns have a league-low eight points in the first quarter, and in three of four overtime games failed to get a first down against the Steelers, Raiders and Bucs.

Haley had a successful six seasons in Pittsburgh with Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, but when his contract expired after last season he was not retained. The Steelers instead promoted quarterback coach Randy Fichtner.

Jackson hired Haley and gave him autonomy over the offense, including playcalling.

But there have been differences between the two as the season has progressed.

Jackson regularly said that Duke Johnson (1,041 total yards in 2017) and Nick Chubb needed to get the ball more, but Haley relied on Carlos Hyde. Hyde was traded last Friday, two days before the Bucs game.

The slow starts have bothered Jackson, but one of the bigger issues has been the way Mayfield has been used. Jackson believes Mayfield needs to play fast, with more no-huddle or hurry-up mixed in with quick throws like slants and even some occasional read-option plays. That, the thinking goes, would make deep throws more effective.

Haley has relied on more of a traditional dropback system for Mayfield, which has led to him holding the ball and taking 18 sacks – 15 in the last three games.