NFL: Tanking claims from Hue Jackson could not be substantiated

One of the more noteworthy claims in the much-discussed lawsuit filed by former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores this past winter is that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross offered Flores $100,000 for each loss to "tank" during the 2019 season, presumably so Miami could earn the right to draft quarterback Joe Burrow first overall in 2020. 

Shortly after details about Flores' lawsuit went public, former Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson suggested he was offered money to lose games during his tenure with the organization that lasted from 2016 through a portion of the 2018 campaign. The Browns strongly denied that accusation, and team owner Jimmy Haslam directly said in February: "Unequivocally, Hue Jackson was never paid to lose games." 

An independent investigation has found no evidence the Browns paid Jackson to lose on purpose. 

"Following a 60-day independent review into comments made by former Cleveland head coach Hue Jackson that the Browns paid or otherwise provided incentives to lose games during the 2016-17 seasons, former U.S. Attorney and SEC Chair Mary Jo White and a team of lawyers from the Debevoise firm determined that none of the allegations could be substantiated," the NFL explained in a statement shared by Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. 

"The investigation found no evidence to suggest that the Browns’ Four-Year Plan or the club’s ownership or football personnel sought to lose or incentivized losses and made no decisions deliberately to weaken the team to secure a more favorable draft position.

"The comprehensive review included the full cooperation of the Browns and interviews with Jimmy Haslam and current and former members of the organization. While Coach Jackson initially agreed to meet with the investigators, he ultimately did not do so."

Unsurprisingly, the Browns seemed pleased with the latest update on the situation. 

"We appreciate the independent investigation led by Mary Jo White and the Debevoise team which brings closure to these allegations that Hue Jackson publicly recanted shortly after they were made and that we've known all along are categorically false," the Browns responded in a statement posted by Jake Trotter of ESPN. "As we've previously stated, we welcomed this investigation because the integrity of our game is something that should not be taken lightly and an independent review was crucial in bringing a conclusion to this matter."

Along with denying Jackson's allegations in February, Haslam blasted the former coach at that time. 

"Hue Jackson has never ever accepted any responsibility for our record during that time period," Haslam said. "He’s been masterful at pointing fingers but has never accepted any blame. I have accepted a ton of blame, and rightfully so. There are a lot of things I could’ve done better. Hue has never accepted blame for one thing." 

Jackson was hired to be the head coach of the Grambling State Tigers in December.