Mike Holmgren departs Browns front office, raising questions about his legacy in Cleveland

As Mike Holmgren departs the Browns organization, Ryan Alton addresses his three years in Cleveland and the legacy that will leave.

Jimmy Haslam, Joe Banner and another regime transition for the Browns

Martin Rickman talks to SB Nation Cleveland editor Brendan Porath about the new head honchos -- and concerns moving forward.

Joe Banner will have final say on any Browns trades this season

If the Cleveland Browns make a trade before the NFL's Oct. 30 trade deadline, it will be new CEO Joe Banner who makes that decision, not team president Mike Holmgren or general manager Tom Heckert, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

New Browns owner Jimmy Haslam introduced Banner as CEO earlier this week. Referencing the numerous rebuilding initiatives the Browns have been through that never came to fruition, Banner told fans that he didn't want to "sit up here and be the next 'promiser.' We're going to work as hard as we possibly can to reward the fans, and make it fun for everybody."

Banner also said that he'd be evaluating all aspects of the franchise. He officially starts in his new position on Oct. 25. It's unclear how his hiring will impact Cleveland's front office structure and the jobs of Holmgren, Heckert and coach Pat Shurmur. Banner is a former executive with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jimmy Haslam, Joe Banner take control of Browns; what's next for Pat Shurmur & Tom Heckert?

The Browns have a new owner and a new CEO, putting the job status of Tom Heckert and Pat Shurmur in doubt. Ryan Alton addresses what all the changes might mean for the organization's top football men.

Browns GM Tom Heckert wants to finish the job under new ownership, Joe Banner

Browns general manager Tom Heckert disputed a report that he has been calling other NFL teams looking for a job since August and says he wants to see things through with the team under new ownership.

Pat Shurmur comments on relationship with Joe Banner

The Cleveland Browns are undergoing some pretty serious changes. Not only did the team drastically change when it comes to the on-the-field product this offseason, thanks to a new-look, rookie-laden offense, the team has a new owner and a new CEO in Jimmy Haslam and Joe Banner, respectively.

On Wednesday, head coach Pat Shurmur met with the media for his usual press conference and spoke on his relationship with Banner, as posted by SB Nation's Dawgs By Nature:

"I was with Joe Banner for 10 years in Philadelphia, all my years there. Extremely smart man (who) had a large part in the develop. ... When you're around someone for a long time, I got a real good feel for him as a family man and a guy that's going to provide the leadership that we need as we move forward."

Shurmur spoke to how it's good to be working with someone he has a history with, though he made it very clear that he doesn't expect the history with Banner to lead to an easier evaluation process for him. He was actually very clear on the fact that he didn't think the new ownership changed anything regarding his job status, and that he expected to be evaluated at the end of the year just like any other coach or assistant on the team.

He noted that, through all of this, his No. 1 focus has been on the team in front of him, which in this case is the Indianapolis Colts. The Browns picked up the first win of their season in Week 6 and though Shurmur doesn't want to win games just to impress the ownership and keep his job, it certainly would help his case.

Joe Banner defining Browns success with Super Bowls

New Browns CEO Joe Banner made a strong impression during his introductory press conference in Berea, calling upon years of success with the Eagles to lay out a plan for the future in Cleveland. Banner indicated that he and new owner Jimmy Haslam would be more "observers" as the final three-plus months of the season finish out, but that they would be taking constant notes in preparation for a thorough evaluation of all aspects of the franchise.

Banner said that signs of progress would be quickly visible, but that the goal is long-term and defined by winning Super Bowls. He was asked about the three teams in the AFC North, and his instant reaction was not to use Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati as measuring sticks, but something greater, stating, "Our goal is in terms of winning a Super Bowl, so I don't really think of it in terms of three teams."

Banner reiterated his respect for those franchises and their football operations, stating that you obviously get to a Super Bowl by first taking care of business in the division, but it was clear that his eyes were on a larger prize. The main emphasis of his presser:

"Some people are intimidated by big goals. We're talking about winning Super Bowls, not just improving our record."

He was accompanied by Haslam at the press conference, and the owner backed up those lofty goals and expectations. "There's no excuse for this not being one of the top franchises in the NFL," Haslam said. That work begins on Oct. 25, when ownership becomes official and Banner comes aboard full-time.

Joe Banner introduced as new Browns executive

New Browns owner Jimmy Haslam formally introduced new CEO Joe Banner in Berea on Wednesday.