ESPN Columnist Denies Speculation He Worked for Browns

ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi speculated in his latest column that ESPN writer Bill Barnwell worked for the Browns as a consultant.

Barnell denied the allegations Friday afternoon:

Some personal news: I don’t work for the Cleveland Browns or any other team.

— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) April 7, 2017

The consulting work I’ve done for teams in the past predates my time at Grantland.

— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) April 7, 2017

Grossi argued that there was reason to believe Barnwell had been consulted by the Browns for an unexpected trade for Brock Osweiler.

Barnwell wrote about such a trade in December and the piece turned out to be prophetic.

Grossi later cleared up any issues, saying he did not want Barnwell’s journalistic integrity to be questioned:

It appears the issue is settled, but Grossi indicated on his WKNR 850 radio show “The Insiders,” he still believes Barnwell and the Browns front office are “on a similar wavelength.”