Cleveland Browns: Peyton Manning’s executive comparison is Ozzie Newsome

If the Cleveland Browns were to hire Peyton Manning, his front office career would be the beginnings of a former star Cleveland player.

Heading into Week 7, the Cleveland Browns are still winless. They have to do something for credibility and respect as they move forward the rest of the season and ahead to 2018. What that specific something could be varies a little, but many wants someone with a true football background (for good reasons).

Former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning has been a popular name discussed in NE Ohio ever since the Haslams bought the team. Now that Manning is done playing, it is just a matter of time before he works again in the NFL… whether that be in Cleveland or elsewhere.

When Manning does work in the NFL again it will be at worse as a general manager, but likely in a greater role soon afterwards. It is obvious how much Manning has wanted to dissect defenses and know every little detail to win during his playing days.

With that said, don’t be surprised to know Manning is preparing the same way but now with a front office mindset. Manning’s former general manager in Indianapolis, Bill Polian discussed his former quarterback and what he’d bring to the table according to ESPN Cleveland‘s Tony Grossi.

"He’s a student of the game. He always was. He’s stayed on top of it. He understands what it takes to win. He’s got a very in-depth knowledge of player personnel, because he’s done so much studying over the years. We had spent a lot of time talking about that stuff. He’s certainly more qualified than a lot of people doing the job"

In today’s NFL, we have seen multiple former players go straight from the field to the office calling the shots. The same thing would be done in Manning’s case. That’s not to say Manning won’t be ready, far from it, but he did go a different route than former Browns tight end Ozzie Newsome.

Regarding Manning:

"He disclosed to Peter King of themmqb.com that he conferred with owners and GMs at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in February, and that he also sat in on a team’s draft room in April. After retiring as a player, Newsome apprenticed one year under Bill Belichick as a coach, and then asked for a transfer to scouting. Newsome soaked up the wisdom of Belichick and former Browns GM Ernie Accorsi and scouted for four years."

The only differences is the ways each of them approached their next career. Manning could have been in any team’s war room during the draft, but realistically, how was it not Cleveland? Manning is going about this process very methodically analyzing everything, which he should.

Meanwhile, Newsome had scouting experience prior to being named general manager. For Manning, it is not like he will have all the answers, but he will be able to bring in the right people so he is in a position to best identify and add talent.

The scouting background definitely helps but there are ways around that. Sashi Brown was promoted to calling the shots after just being a number’s person, so going the Manning route now would be ideal.

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Assuming the Browns want the former Tennessee product, Brown could still stay on but Manning must determine the roster. Should Cleveland land Manning, just wait Browns fans. He would be the best answer yet to turn the team around.