With two erroneous reports regarding the Cleveland Browns from Adam Schefter, given his track record, something more might be transpiring.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter is the NFL’s premier inside source and, along with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, typically reports all the league’s news before anyone else. Not only is Schefter extremely quick on his league reports, but rarely ever does he miss. Coincidentally, he’s now missed on two reports, both regarding the Cleveland Browns, in the span of 10 days.
First, there was the Condoleezza Rice news. Schefter reported on Nov. 18 that the Browns were interested in interviewing the former Secretary of State for their head coaching position. A bit ridiculous at first, but it is the Cleveland Browns, many thought.
Then, just hours later, both Rice and the Browns refuted the report. It’s likely that the Browns would consult Rice on team choices, as she has experience in sports management. But it’s unlikely that she would actually get an honest interview for the head coaching position.
A weird report, but okay. Everyone is wrong sometimes, even the normally pinpoint-accurate Schefter. Then, on Tuesday afternoon, Schefter also reported that the Browns had claimed Reuben Foster, a linebacker formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, off of waivers.
This, too, was proven false by many Browns beat reporters. A couple of hours after the first report, there was a correction that it was actually the Washington Redskins. The Browns didn’t even put a waiver claim in for Foster. But so what, right? One reporter gets a couple of things wrong about a team and everyone gets into an uproar?
Well, not exactly. Without putting a tinfoil hat all the way on, there might be something going on in Cleveland. That is to say, general manager John Dorsey is trying to find a rat, trying to smoke out a mole, within the Browns organization. How do we draw that conclusion? It’s simple, really.
First and foremost, the Browns have been locked up tight ever since Dorsey took over the organization. Their love of Baker Mayfield in the 2018 NFL Draft did not leak out to national reporters until mere hours before the draft actually began.
Additionally, the Browns have done this before under Dorsey, allowing national reporters to get their hands on many “reports” during the draft process, like that the Browns were zeroing in on Josh Allen or Sam Darnold at No. 1.
Second, Schefter rarely ever misses. The fact that he has whiffed on two reports for the Cleveland Browns in less than two weeks is staggering. The NFL’s lead insider shouldn’t be getting reports wrong this often, especially not for the same team. Either Schefter has finally bitten off more than he can chew or spread himself too thinly, or Dorsey has finally baited and found his rat.
If that’s the case, Dorsey can probably rest easily now. Two reports in two weeks, and the rat has almost certainly shown himself to the Browns front office. So, if Schefter or Rapoport reports that the Browns have fired a member of their front office or public relations team, it’ll be pretty clear why at this point.