Earlier in the week, ESPN Cleveland's Tony Grossi took the departure of Cleveland Browns director of player engagement Dr. Jamil Northcutt as a sign that a "tug of war" between general manager Ray Farmer and Mike Pettine's coaching staff is ongoing. He noted that Northcutt was "a confidant" of Farmer's and "a thorn in the side" of the coaches.
Grossi sites sources who said that Northcutt was one of the recipients of Farmer's in-game sideline texting, an offense that has led to the general manager being suspended for the first four games of the season.