Mike Holmgren Turns Down Seahawks Offer, Still Onboard with Browns Offer

Mike Holmgren's bid to stay with his former and hometown team, the Seahawks, has ended in a surprise move by Holmgren himself who declined a job offer presented to him by the team.

Cleveland Browns fans are now going crazy, because their biggest competition in the Holmgren race was the Seattle Seahawks.  Holmgren still resides with his family in the Seattle area.

As reported by profootballtalk.com , Seattle quite possibly made Holmgren an offer they knew that he would refuse, but made the offer anyway in order save face, since it was widely reported through various online sites that the Seahawks had absolutely no interest in a return of the former coach and general manager.

Specifics of the Seahawks offer were not detailed, but Holmgren has said he does not want a formal role as a front office executive, but hasn't ruled out the possibility of returning to coaching.

The Seahawks want a traditional front office executive, but Browns owner Randy Lerner is reportedly so desperate to get the Browns on the right path that he reportedly offered Holmgren "the entire house."

This sounds like Lerner is not opposed to bringing Holmgren in to replace current coach, Eric Mangini, and making Holmgren general manager and coach. Lerner is all for it, as long as the team can become a contender.

But the Browns need a strong front office executive, first and foremost, not a guy who would be holding two job positions and could be overloaded as time goes on.

One theory is that if the Browns can continue to improve in the final three games of the season, Mangini will get a chance to continue to coach the team in 2010.

Of Mangini's situation, even Holmgren said, "...having been a coach for so many years, I would be the first one to tell you that's not very fair."

Looks like Holmgren will be giving Mangini 2010 to continue to build this team, but in this journalists' opinion, if the Browns struggle in the first four game of 2010, then look for Holmgren to fire Mangini, then move from the executive box in Cleveland Browns Stadium to the sideline to take over the head coaching position.

Holmgren is supposed to announce his intentions regarding the Browns job on Monday.

(Article also posted on Dawg Scooper)