Sporting News

Browns report: Pat Shurmur has real shot at sticking as Mike Holmgren exits

BEREA, Ohio—Pat Shurmur will have a chance to save his job as head coach. Shortly after being unanimously approved Tuesday as the Browns' owner, Jimmy Haslam said he looked Shurmur in the eye and told him he hasn't decided to make a coaching change.

Haslam said Shurmur will be evaluated at the end of the season. Indications are Haslam and Shurmur have built a strong relationship.

Cleveland Browns: Coach Pat Shurmur may get a chance to stay with the team under a new owner. (AP Photo)

Playing hard is one of the first things Haslam is looking for, and that was evident in the win over Cincinnati.

President Mike Holmgren will work through the end of the season and then retire, a move that became official Tuesday and isn't a surprise.

Keeping Holmgren for the balance of the year makes sense. Holmgren hired virtually all of the key football people in coaching and personnel and has worked with them on a daily business.

Holmgren’s presence also is important in the continued development of quarterback Brandon Weeden. Holmgren’s endorsement of Weeden was a good reason the Oklahoma State quarterback was picked at No. 22 overall.

Holmgren and Weeden have had numerous conversations about the entire scope of being an NFL quarterback. Insofar as Holmgren developed Steve Young, Brett Favre and Matt Hasselbeck, it would be a loss if Weeden’s rookie year proceeded without Holmgren.

Weeden has improved each week and is beginning to look more like a long-term answer at his vital position. He's learning when to gamble and is managing his aggressive impulses better lately.

He still has to learn to be more patient. Forcing a third-and-1 throw against the Giants recently led to a game-bending interception. Against Cincinnati, though, he didn’t force anything. Weeden's only interception was the result of a ball tipped at the line.

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