Cleveland Browns hire former Commanders executive Chris Polian as special advisor

The Cleveland Browns are adding to their front office as Chris Polian is being hired to a special advisor role, a source confirmed for the Beacon Journal.

The Athletic’s Ben Standig was the first to report.

Polian, a John Carroll University graduate and son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Bill Polian, was most recently the director of pro personnel for the Washington Commanders. He spent three seasons with the Commanders.

Polian previously worked with Browns general manager Andrew Berry while with the Indianapolis Colts. He worked with the Colts in various capacities from 1999-2011.

Besides the Colts and Commanders, Polian's other NFL experience includes being a personnel assistant with the Carolina Panthers (1994-97), a scout for the Atlanta Falcons (2012) and director of pro personnel for the Jacksonville Jaguars (2013-19).

Kathleen Wood promoted to Browns scouting/personnel assessment and development

The Browns also have elevated Northeast area scout Kathleen Wood to the role of scouting/personnel assessment and development. Wood had been working for the team as a scout since 2020.

Wood was the first female scout for the Senior Bowl in 2019. The former private investigator also spent internships and fellowships with the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills.

Cleveland Browns re-sign K Lucas Havrisik and waive QB Jacob Sirmon

The Browns clearly must feel confident about at least the progress quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson's made in his recovery from a hip injury, because they have waived quarterback Jacob Sirmon ahead of the start of OTAs. Sirmon was signed on the final day of rookie minicamp, which gave Cleveland five quarterbacks, at the time, on the roster.

The big question was mostly about having enough arms for the OTAs and minicamp. Deshaun Watson has been throwing, but continues to be in a progressive ramp-up program coming off his shoulder surgery last November.

Thompson-Robinson's availability was the one that likely led to the initial Sirmon signing. Even at that time, though, it seemed like the second-year pro was on the right path to get back on the field.

In a corresponding move, the Browns re-signed kicker Lucas Havrisik. Havrisik, who was waived on May 14, spent a portion of last season on the Browns practice squad before the Los Angeles Rams signed him to their active roster.

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Chris Polian hired as special advisor for Cleveland Browns