The Browns and general manager Ray Farmer are facing possible sanctions from the NFL for “Textgate,” including a multigame suspension for Farmer, and a fine and loss of draft pick for the Browns, league sources told Mary Kay Cabot.
NEOMG reported on Jan. 6 that a Browns “high-ranking personnel member texted from the press box to the sidelines about playcalls” during a game, which was one of the reasons former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, now with the Falcons, felt that working for the Browns had become dysfunctional for him.
Multiple league sources have told NEOMG that Farmer was the high-ranking personnel member who violated the NFL’s electronic use policy by the impermissible texting. Those messages were then apparently relayed to the coaches.
The NFL investigated the improper texts, and are prepared to announce sanctions within the next couple of weeks. A resolution could come as early as this week, but probably no later than three weeks.
Farmer is facing a three or four game suspension for his part and league officials say the investigation should be complete next week.