Cleveland Browns Hire Michael Lombardi as VP of Player Personnel

Here is another addition to the “Obvious News Finally Made Official” file of the Cleveland Browns: Michael Lombardi has been hired by the new regime. 

Lombardi, who has denied any interest in the position or communication with the team for weeks, will be the Vice President of Player Personnel, which means both he and CEO Joe Banner will be in charge of putting together the roster, though head coach Rob Chudzinski will surely let them know what he is looking for in his system (and might have some say, maybe?). It’s a terrifying proposition to some, but the future success of an NFL front office is an incredibly tricky thing to predict.

The one thing Lombardi does have is plenty of experience, including time spent with Banner in Philadelphia in 1997 and 1998. He is also plenty familiar with the Cleveland Browns, having worked in player personnel from 1987 to 1995. And with time spent with the 49ers, Rams and Raiders as well, Lombardi certainly knows his way around the NFL.

But how has that worked out for him? Though he has worked very closely in player evaluations, his record isn’t exactly shining. There is a lot to prove, and the Browns aren’t making it easy on themselves here, but the only thing to do is sit back and see what happens.