Browns Could Reportedly Hire Vikings Exec George Paton as General Manager in the Coming Days
By Alex Coffman
The Cleveland Browns' search for a new general manager continues, and yet another name has surfaced as a possible fit. Minnesota Vikings assistant general manager George Paton has been linked to the vacancy, largely due to his connection with new head coach Kevin Stefanski.
The Browns interviewed Paton on Saturday, and while are still set to meet with other candidates, it looks like they may have found their guy.
For the lunch crowd: #Browns could hire #Vikings exec George Paton in the next few days, source tells clevelanddotcom; Chris Spielman: 'It makes the most sense for Kevin Stefanski' https://t.co/8Fy4OfWzF9
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 20, 2020
Paton and Stefanski have worked alongside one another in Minnesota since 2006, developing a strong connection over the course of 13 seasons.
Andrew Berry, the Eagles Vice President of Football Operation and Monti Ossenfort, the Patriots Director of College Scouting were reportedly interviewed late last week for the general manager position and remain as other possible suitors for the vacancy.
The George Paton saga continues; if he leaves, Vikings would lose a key cog in their talent evaluation process. https://t.co/UUOORQgJlW
— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingStrib) January 20, 2020
Former Browns linebacker Chris Spielman, brother of Vikings GM Rick Spielman, told cleveland.com, "I think it would behoove the Browns to do everything in their power to hire George."
Paton has helped build winning teams in Minnesota during his tenure with the organization. The Vikings have made the playoffs six times and the NFC Championship twice under his watch, and he could bring a sense of stability to a Browns organization that has been incredibly volatile of late.