The Cleveland Browns may have officially become the most dysfunctional franchise in the entirety of the NFL.
From the drafting of quarterback Johnny Manziel - who has since entered rehab - and cornerback Justin Gilbert - who failed to see the field much, if at all his rookie season - in the first-round of last April's NFL Draft, to the surprising decision by offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to leave the team this offseason via a lateral move, to the suspension handed to wide receiver Josh Gordon, to the news that the team could lose draft picks and GM Ray Farmer could be facing a suspension for his ill-advised decision to send a text message to the sidelines during a game, there seems to be some type of bad omen or negative energy surrounding the organization.
At this point, there may be no other conclusion to come to than that owner Jimmy Haslam is to blame.
"The culture in the Browns building is toxic, I'm told," writes Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. "Morale is beyond low. If you can flee, you are fleeing...There's an overwhelming sense of dread about the future."
The dread and string of failures with the franchise's current makeup may not be over either. Farmer and head coach Mike Pettine may already be at odds, according to La Canfora, and Haslam may be pushing the team to trade up for Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota in the draft.
"The tension between the front office and coaching staff is palpable around the team facility, sources said, with friction growing between Farmer and rookie head coach Mike Pettine throughout the 2014 season," according to La Canfora.
Haslam was the one who wanted Manziel - "That was a business decision," said one source with direct knowledge of the situation. "That's on the owner." - and is the one pushing a move up this coming April for Oregon's Marcus Mariota, per La Canfora.
It was reported Tuesday by Jason Cole of Bleacher Report that the Browns were exploring trade scenarios in order to nab Mariota - it sounds like Haslam may have moved on from one publicity stunt in Manziel and zeroed in on another in Mariota.
Team president Alec Scheiner's presence has become a problem as well, as his say in personnel matters has grown despite a lack of experience.
Who is to blame for the constant difficulties and strange decision-making? According to at least one team source, it's Haslam.
"Jimmy is way too hands on," the source told La Canfora. "He's like Jerry Jones, only without the football knowledge...The guys on the business side want to run football operations. The GM wants to coach the team and have input on play calling. Jimmy calls the shots, and everyone is afraid of him with that quick trigger finger. If you stand up to Jimmy, he's done with you. Jimmy's own worst enemy is Jimmy."
"It's a mess," another team source told La Canfora. "Everyone is trying to do everyone else's job. It's crazy."
