Minnesota Vikings assistant general manager George Paton removed himself from consideration for the job as general manager of the Cleveland Browns on Friday, according to multiple media reports.
Paton was considered the top candidate for the position after the Browns hired former Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski as their head coach on Jan. 13.
Stefanski “wants him in the worst way” a source told Cleveland.com while Paton was being interviewed. The two worked together with the Vikings for 13 years.
According to Cleveland.com, Paton will stay with the Vikings after having some questions about the power structure of the Browns and the division of labor within the front office. He left Cleveland on Thursday after his second interview. His first interview with the organization was on the previous Saturday.
The Browns’ next choice as GM will reportedly be Andrew Berry, the vice president of football operations for the Philadelphia Eagles.
From 2016-18, Berry was vice president of player personnel for the Browns, and is highly regarded by team owner Jimmy Haslam and chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta.
The Browns interviewed Berry and New England Patriots director of college scouting Monti Ossenfort on Jan. 17.