The NFL Network is losing an analyst, and the Cleveland Browns are gaining a personnel executive.
The Browns announced Friday that Michael Lombardi is the team's new vice president of player personnel. A press conference is scheduled for Friday morning.
Lombardi, who worked with Bill Belichick in Cleveland during the '90s, has a history with Browns CEO Joe Banner from their time together in Philadelphia. Lombardi also worked for Al Davis and the Raiders from 1999 to 2007. Lombardi has been in the media since then, first with the National Football Post and then full-time with NFL Network and NFL.com.
The Browns were expected to hire a general manager, and it sounds like Lombardi will essentially fill those responsibilities with a different title. Banner also might have some input, along with coach Rob Chudzinski. It will be interesting to hear at Friday's news conference who has "final say" on the roster.
This is the type of transaction that Lombardi is used to talking about on NFL Network. Now he'll be the one answering questions at a press conference.
We wish Michael all the best in his new gig.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
