Riders’ Chris Jones to take job with Cleveland Browns

Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach and general manager Chris Jones is taking a job with the Cleveland Browns, NFL sources confirm.

Browns general manager John Dorsey called the Riders to ask for permission to interview Jones last Saturday. Jones interviewed Tuesday morning and impressed to earn the job.

The news was first reported by CFL News, an anonymous account that has a significant following around the league.

BREAKING:

Sources say #Riders Head Coach Chris Jones has interviewed today with the Cleveland Browns & they are hiring him in a defensive capacity. Details to come. Jones had an NFL out clause in his #CFL contract.

Expect Jeremy O'Day to take over as GM. pic.twitter.com/7OXXCqWUyb

— CFL News (@CFL_News) January 15, 2019

NFL teams conducted extensive research on Jones and gained insight into the former Saskatchewan bench boss.

The Riders improved their win total each year under Jones going from five wins to 10 and 12 in 2018. Jones has led the Riders to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons after the franchise failed to make the post-season since 2014.

Jones is 53-37 as a CFL head coach and won the 2015 Grey Cup championship with the Edmonton Eskimos.

Jones had an out clause in his extension recently signed with the Riders.