Being a successful team in the NFL comes with both advantages and disadvantages, and the Cleveland Browns are beginning to experience the downsides of their achievements. Following the conclusion of the 2023 regular season, the Washington Commanders are actively seeking to fill their general manager vacancy and have approached the Browns regarding an interview with their assistant GM and VP of Player Personnel, Glenn Cook. Reports indicate that the Browns have given Cook permission to undergo the interview process in the upcoming weeks.

The Washington Commanders are currently undergoing a comprehensive restructuring of their front office and coaching staff, marked by the departure of head coach Ron Rivera on the league-wide recognized “Black Monday.” The recent change in ownership to American investor Josh Harris has prompted significant organizational changes within the Commanders.

News of Washington’s interest in Glenn Cook surfaced following the announcement that Harris had enlisted the services of seasoned Golden State Warriors executive Bob Myers and former Vikings GM Rick Spielman to oversee the searches for a new head coach and general manager, respectively.

Glenn Cook has been an integral part of the Browns’ front office since 2016, initially joining under then-GM Sashi Brown’s administration. He was retained by the current President of Football Operations, Andrew Berry, who assumed control in 2020, and subsequently earned a promotion to his current position.

In the previous year, Cook interviewed for the vacant general manager position with the Titans but was ultimately passed over in favor of Ran Carthon. Similarly, in 2022, he missed out on the Vikings GM role, which was awarded to Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, a former colleague from the Browns who was then the VP of Football Operations.

In the event that Glenn Cook secures a position elsewhere, the Browns would be entitled to a compensatory pick, a provision established in 2020 by the league to encourage greater diversity and inclusivity in coaching, personnel, and football operations staff. Teams are granted a third-round compensatory pick in the subsequent two drafts for each head coach or top football relations hire filled by a diverse candidate from their staff.