Browns reportedly set to hire Todd Haley as offensive coordinator

The Cleveland Browns actually made a real football move on Monday as the team will reportedly hire Todd Haley as offensive coordinator.

The Cleveland Browns and Todd Haley have reportedly come to an agreement for Haley to take on the role of offensive coordinator.

The news of Haley’s hiring was reported by NFL Network’s Mike Silver, who serves as head coach Hue Jackson’s national mouthpiece so the Browns fans can probably take it to the bank.

The best part? Jackson will reportedly give play calling duties to Haley.

The Browns and Haley appear to be a good fit. Haley brings a track record of success after spending the past six seasons as offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

During his tenure, Pittsburgh’s offense was among the league’s top 10 in scoring and in yards gained, and Haley helped Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger continue to play at a high level and built an offense that helped wide receiver Antonio Browns catch more than 100 passes for five consecutive seasons.

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His time in the AFC North means that Haley is familiar with the Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens, which should come in quite handy. As an added bonus, the opportunity to face the Steelers twice a year and try to stick it to the team that let him go should be a good motivating point for Haley.

Compare what Haley accomplished with the Steelers to what the Browns offense has done in its two years under Jackson – finishing 31st in points scored in 2016 and 32nd this past season — and it is hard not to find a reason to like this hire.

The only downside is that Haley reportedly clashed with Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin and Roethlisberger, which helped lead to the Steelers not renewing Haley’s contract. Given that, it is not that hard to envision some conflict between Haley and Jackson or Haley and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams during a game.

It might not be productive, but it certainly would add an extra layer of entertainment to game day.

The Browns do not have the same level of offensive talent as the Steelers so-called Big 3 of Roethlisberger, Brown and Le’Veon Bell, but they might not be that far off.

If wide receiver Josh Gordon can stay on the right side of the league’s substance-abuse policy and the Browns add a top-tier running back and a real quarterback in the draft, they could be well on the way to having an offense that scares opposing defenses instead of Browns fans.

Whenever the Browns draft a player or hire a coach, as fans we all talk ourselves into that person being the guy who finally solves what problem is currently ailing the team. And more often than not we all end up disappointed.

Next: Can the Browns afford to draft a prospect QB?

The hiring of Haley, though, does have a chance to be different — especially if Jackson really does stay out of the way.