CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Rob Chudzinski was 3-2 as Browns head coach once upon a time, then won just once after that.

He finished 4-12 in that 2013 season -- a relative slice of heaven as we now know it.

Jimmy Haslam fired him after another losing finale in Pittsburgh, later citing research that suggested rookie NFL coaches rarely recover from such precipitous slides.

Joe Banner's overarching point in helping lead Haslam to that conclusion was that firing first-year head coaches, while not the norm, happens sometimes and for good reason. Then, of course, Haslam cut ties with Banner and Mike Lombardi shortly after, promoted Ray Farmer and hired Mike Pettine, fired them, then promoted Sashi Brown and hired Hue Jackson.

So what now?

In introducing John Dorsey as Brown's replacement, Haslam said he was really excited to forge ahead with Jackson as his coach.

Really.

That doesn't seem possible, so my theory is he's actually just really tired of being portrayed nationally as impetuous and clueless. Jackson is a popular guy in the league and in media circles. So Haslam thinks keeping Jackson will spare him some blowback.

No doubt the owner might even feel bad he agreed to such an extreme roster teardown and thinks he owes Jackson a better chance to succeed. As long as Haslam doesn't spend too much time wondering how Todd Bowles won five games with the Jets this season, conflicting evidence might not sway him.

Jackson hasn't won early, or late. He won just one time in his first year and so far not at all in his second. And in his latest "I'm owning this record, but not really" press conference, Jackson made it clear he believes he had no chance.

"I don't know if anyone else in the NFL can do this job," he said. "You better have strength."

Has Haslam fallen for that? Why else did Haslam feel compelled to announce on Dec. 7 that Jackson would not only return for 2018 but should be expected to lead the Browns beyond next season?

Jackson, unlike Chudzinski or Mike Pettine, did have previous head coaching experience. So? He finished 8-8 with the Raiders in 2011 but lost four of his last five games.

You know what they say about rookie head coaches who lose more in the end than at the start? Oh, right. Never mind.

If 1-30 and the prospect of 0-16 doesn't stick to Jackson, nothing ever will. Haslam sounds impressed Jackson's team continues to play hard for him (at least he said that before Bears 20, Browns 3). But that alone can't recommend him, can it?

Chudzinski kept his team motivated, too. Should've beaten the Patriots at New England, losing 27-26. He did beat Baltimore and Cincinnati in the same season.

Owners talk themselves into hirings and firings all the time. There are many more reasons to replace Jackson than to keep him.

If Haslam keeps Jackson, it should be because he trusts him to bring along the next great young quarterback. Because he trusts him to adapt his offense to the talent he's given. To make a difference on game day. To put his ego aside and "unequivocally" (to borrow a Jackson word) work with his front office through thin and thinner.

Based on Jackson's two seasons in Berea, is that really the coach Haslam sees?

If so, how so?