Mike Holmgren, Seahawks situation coming to a head

Mike Holmgren was in Arizona doing his radio show broadcast in Seattle, addressing a chance to take over the NFL team in Cleveland. Meanwhile, his former team — the one he has said he'd like to talk to — practiced outdoors under clear skies.

Welcome to "The Surreal World: Seahawks Edition."

There were no resolutions or final words, but Holmgren clarified his situation on both the Browns and the Seahawks on Friday during his weekly radio show on KJR (950 AM) with Dave Mahler and Hugh Millen.

Holmgren was in Cleveland on Monday and Tuesday this week, and said that "any and all" positions are possible with regard to president, general manager or even coaching. He didn't specify a timeline for the decision, but intimated it could be imminent.

"I would say sooner than later," Holmgren said of a resolution.

The next question is where that leaves him with regard to the vacancy atop the Seahawks' football operations. Tim Ruskell stepped down as president two weeks ago, and the franchise has been conducting an internal audit and assembling a list of candidates.

Has Holmgren been told he wouldn't be considered for the position?

"No one has told me that I'm not going to be part of that process," Holmgren said.

But no one has told him where he will fit into that process, either.

Holmgren said after Ruskell's resignation he "absolutely would be interested in talking to Seattle." On Friday, he said, "Maybe I was looking for a few more positive signs."

That leaves Holmgren weighing the situation he has in hand, which is to take over Cleveland's franchise under owner Randy Lerner. Holmgren cited the lack of any layers between ownership and a potential position with the Browns as a major plus.

"The biggest attraction for me so far is ownership," Holmgren said. "Randy Lerner ... wants the team to play well and do well for the city."

As for the Seahawks, Seattle is his home, but he understands that timing — among other things — could derail a potential return.

"I've stated what I had to say," Holmgren said of his interest in talking to the Seahawks, "and then if a different direction is called for and that's what they want to do, that's great and I wish them well. But I would like to work next year, so I have to go on and look at other things. There's some time. We'll see."

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com