Grigson Rejoins Browns.
Former Colts GM Ryan Grigson returns to Cleveland Browns as Senior Advisor, reuniting with Andrew Berry.
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Key Points
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Grigson began his NFL career as a national scout for the St. Louis Rams in 1999 and later spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks, giving him a broad, long-running front-office background beyond his Colts tenure.
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He has previously served in Browns front-office roles (senior personnel executive in 2017 and Senior Football Advisor in 2020-21), and Browns GM Andrew Berry previously worked for him in scouting during Grigson’s first Browns stint.
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The Vikings' front-office shake-up under Nolan Teasley included new GMs Andrew Healy and Trent Kirchner; Grigson left the organization, and the Vikings no longer list him on their site.
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Vikings fans’ view of Grigson has been historically negative, tied to his Colts tenure and, per analysis, an overlap with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s Cleveland regime in 2020-21, which colored perceptions during the transition.
Ryan Grigson is returning to the Cleveland Browns as a Senior Football Advisor, reuniting with GM Andrew Berry, according to NBC Sports. The move comes just days after reports confirmed Grigson would not return to the Minnesota Vikings following a front-office overhaul there.
Berry hired Grigson during his very first stint running the Browns in 2020. The two go back even further — Berry worked as a scout under Grigson when Grigson was GM of the Indianapolis Colts. Yahoo Sports reports this is Grigson's third tour of duty in Cleveland.
Grigson Pushed Out as Vikings Rebuild Front Office
The Vikings decided not to bring Grigson back after a rough 2025 season. Team president Nolan Teasley reshaped the front office, bringing in Andrew Healy and Trent Kirchner as co-general managers. Grigson, who served as assistant GM under the previous regime, was no longer listed on the Vikings' official website by mid-June, according to The Star Tribune.
Kirchner came over from the Seattle Seahawks and was reportedly given a mandate to "reshape the scouting culture" in Minnesota. Grigson declined an offer to stay in a lesser role and instead looked for work elsewhere. He found it quickly — back in Cleveland.
Berry and Grigson Share a 25-Year Professional Bond
Grigson's NFL career stretches back to 1999, when he joined the St. Louis Rams as a national scout. He later worked for the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks before becoming GM of the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. He went 51-29 as Colts GM, including three straight 11-5 seasons from 2012 to 2014, and won NFL Executive of the Year in his first season.
Berry said in a statement that Grigson is "a trusted evaluator and a veteran voice who understands our process." His experience in the draft and roster management, Berry added, is "an asset we value highly." This is the third time Berry has brought Grigson into the Browns building since taking over as GM in 2020, per NBC Sports.
Andrew Luck's Shadow Still Follows Grigson Everywhere
Grigson's tenure in Indianapolis remains deeply controversial. Many fans and analysts blame him for failing to build a strong offensive line to protect quarterback Andrew Luck. Luck retired suddenly in 2019, citing the physical toll of years of punishment. That decision is widely linked to the Grigson era, and the criticism has followed him to every job since.
Vikings fans shared a similar skepticism. The Star Tribune noted that Minnesota viewed the Adofo-Mensah and Grigson era as an "analytical experiment" that never produced a deep playoff run. Cleveland fans are also cautious. Local reporter Mary Kay Cabot noted the move may be "unsettling to a fan base that remembers the dysfunction of previous regimes."
What Grigson's Return Signals About the Browns' Direction
Analysts see Grigson as a traditional "boots on the ground" scout. That style is expected to complement the data-driven approach Berry and chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta use. His return suggests the Browns plan to keep leaning on veteran talent and aggressive roster moves heading into 2026 and beyond.
The Browns still face the weight of Deshaun Watson's $230 million contract, which shapes nearly every roster decision the team makes, per The New York Times. Grigson's arrival is also seen as a sign that Berry has the full backing of owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam. Senior advisors at his level typically earn between $750,000 and $1.2 million per year, according to Front Office Sports estimates.
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