Browns chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta was hired by the team in 2016 after a lengthy run in Major Leage Baseball front offices. Though his hire was an unconventional one, DePodesta has clearly gained the favor of Cleveland ownership.
In 2021, we learned that DePodesta was given a five-year extension the prior season, a deal that ran through the 2024 campaign. At the time, his contract term matched those of head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry, both of whom were hired in 2020.
Upon the announcement of the extension, owner Jimmy Haslam noted the logic of having his top power brokers on deals of the same length, saying, “it lines up with [Berry and Stefanski]. That makes all the sense, and we’re super excited about that. Paul’s going to be with us for a significant amount of time. Paul’s not the type, you don’t need to announce something on Paul’s behalf, but he’s going to be with us for a significant amount of time.”
The Browns have earned a playoff berth in two of the first four seasons of the Berry/Stefanski partnership, and despite the much-criticized acquisition and extension of quarterback Deshaun Watson, the club has a talented roster that has the makings of a championship contender. Berry and Stefanski were rewarded with new deals in June, though DePodesta — who also has a significant role in personnel matters and who recommended the current GM/HC pairing to Haslam — is still under contract for just one more year.
That does not mean, however, that the relationship will end at the conclusion of the 2024 season. Speaking at a recent training camp practice, Haslam said, “we’re working through the situation with Paul. It’s a little bit different because he lives in San Diego, but we’re comfortable Paul will remain with us in some very important fashion for the long term” (via Kelsey Russo of the team’s official website).
It therefore sounds like an extension for DePodesta is still in the cards, and it would not be surprising if his contract again matches the Stefanski and Berry deals in the near future.
Didn’t realize they were playing Moneyball in Cleveland.
Yes and oddly the football calculations are slanted toward players with a higher efficiency rate of Non-Disclosure Agreements related to charges/lawsuits dismissed which led to them taking on Deshaun Watson.
The Browns are entering Cap Hell next season due in large part to the Watson Contract which will again count ~ $64M or ~22% of the cap. They are clearly in a win now situation in a very competitive division and conference.
You have to admire when owners believe they have built a quality office only to supersede them and make their decisions!
Watson & Young come to mind for that. Ironically, both Tepper and Haslem were monitory owners in Pit and neither of their organizations even come close to show the level of stability Pit has done for 40 some odd years.
Since I hate the Browns I hope they extend DePo for 10 years.
I suppose if you look hard enough you could find some logic to having a “strategy officer” who wants to stay 2000 miles away from the action.
He’s probably FO force that not only wanted to acquire Watson but also guaranteed him a kings ransom. DePodesta plain out sucked as GM of Dodgers. Couldn’t get rid of em fast enough. There’s reason he hasn’t been extended in Clev like the GM n HC have.
Did you read the article at all?
They could certainly update Dpodesta picture