Mike Lombardi remains top candidate for potential Browns GM opening, according to report

If the Cleveland Browns do not retain current general manager Tom Heckert, Mike Lombardi is a top candidate for the position, according to a report from CBS Sports' Jason La Confora.

La Confora first reported Lombardi's candidacy back in September. Lombardi has previous experience with the Browns, Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders as a personnel executive. He worked for current Browns CEO Joe Banner with the Eagles, and the two men have a good relationship.

Lombardi last worked in an NFL front office in 2007, when he was the Senior Personnel Executive with the Oakland Raiders under Al Davis. Since then, he has worked as a journalist and television analyst.

As for Heckert, La Confora says it's very likely that he will indeed be let go, as new team ownership wants to go in a different direction. Heckert became the Browns' general manager in 2010, and the team has gone just 14-21 under his watch.