Cleveland Browns: 5 impacts Kevin Stefanski will have on the franchise

3. DePodesta wins

The Chief Strategy Officer was reportedly angling to have his voice heard more through the process. You couldn’t blame him, especially after the success his first recommendation as coach. Back in 2015, DePodesta favored Sean McDermott.

He even authored a “Hail Mary” e-mail to Jimmy Haslam stating why the team shouldn’t hire Hue Jackson.

Haslam went with Jackson in a move that was praised by the local media and fans, alike.

Last January, the job came down to Stefanski and Freddie Kitchens and we all know how it played out. Stefanski returned to Minnesota and the Vikings were among the NFC’s final four teams.

This year, Stefanski survived a tougher field of candidates, so even if he wasn’t your number once choice, aren’t you, at the least bit curious to see what he brings to the sidelines?

If DePodesta is truly driven by data and analytics, he should be the most unbiased person working for the Browns. The head coach search should be treated the same he valued walks in “Moneyball.” What difference is there as to how you get on? A walk, truly is as good as hit. If you score a run, it all works out in the end.

With coaching, the bottom line is winning games, and now his preferred candidate, is going to get the shot.