Bengals Tried to Keep Hue Jackson at Last Second, but Browns' Persistence Prevented Him From Even Interviewing With Giants

The Cleveland Browns and Korn/Ferry International can mark this as a "job well done" in getting Hue Jackson to agree to be their next head coach. Throughout the coaching search process, the Browns' persistence, while still making Jackson feel comfortable, helped them get the No. 1 guy they wanted. First, that persistence helped remove the San Francisco 49ers as a contender for Jackson's services. Then, according to Mike Silver, the Bengals tried to make a last-ditch effort to keep Jackson in Cincinnati:

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis approached Hue with a last-ditch proposal to keep him in Cinci, with succession plan. They are very close...

— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 13, 2016

It didn't work. On top of that, the Browns made sure they struck a deal with Jackson before he even had an opportunity to fly out and meet with the New York Giants later today:

Hue Jackson was scheduled to fly to New Jersey this evening for a meeting with the Giants. The Browns made sure he didn't get on the plane

— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 13, 2016

If you are a Browns fan who wanted Hue: Your owner & his team went out and seized the moment. Give them points for that.

— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 13, 2016

As I said all along: Hue was not weighing offers. He was not leveraging anyone. He was waiting for an owner to tell him "You're my guy."

— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 13, 2016

Silver adds that the Browns were the only team to formally make him an offer.

The fact that the Browns were able to land Jackson after all of their past regime changes, including the unique analytics approach being taken in the front office this year, has to be a big boost when it comes to the perception of Cleveland moving forward. That includes the recruitment of a general manager, the current players, potential assistant coaches, and free agents.