Cleveland Browns: Latest Free-Agency News and Rumors
NFL free agency is set to begin on March 10, and teams like the Cleveland Browns will be preparing accordingly.
The Browns are expected to have nearly $50 million to spend this offseason, according to Spotrac. Given that the team's franchise main pieces (CB Joe Haden, LT Joe Thomas, C Alex Mack) are already signed to multiyear contracts, Cleveland may use this money exclusively to lure in one or multiple big-name free agents.
Although there hasn't been any news surrounding elite free agents, rumors and reports have surfaced concerning multiple impending free agents.
Naturally, much of Cleveland's free agency news centers on the team's greatest weakness entering the 2015 season: the quarterback position.
With Johnny Manziel tending to personal matters, head coach Mike Pettine has asserted that his team is on a mission to find a starting quarterback, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal:
"Pettine says #Browns need to acquire starting QB this offseason because "there’s too much unknown" about Manziel: http://t.co/GFb734AIFk
— Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) February 19, 2015"
From 2014 starter Brian Hoyer to the recently released Josh McCown, the Browns have been connected to just about every viable starting quarterback who is expected to be available this offseason.
Quarterback isn't Cleveland's only positional need, however. General manager Ray Farmer will also be seeking defensive line help and a dangerous wide receiver to replace the indefinitely suspended Josh Gordon.
Let's take a look at a few of the news reports surrounding Cleveland's plan for free agency.
QB Brian Hoyer Wants Face-to-Face Meeting with GM Ray Farmer
1 of 5
Brian Hoyer owns a 10-7 win-loss record—the best record of any Cleveland quarterback since 1999, per Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan—and yet there is no guarantee of him returning for 2015.
"@KenCarman Brian Hoyer has the best record of any #Browns starting QB since 1999 #TrollTweet
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) December 9, 2014"
According to Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com, Hoyer won't be making any decisions regarding his impending free agency without meeting with general manager Ray Farmer:
"Brian Hoyer waiting for meeting w/ embattled GM Ray Farmer before deciding on free agency. http://t.co/CX4ydI5n57
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) February 8, 2015"
These two parties haven't always seen eye-to-eye. Hoyer, who was essentially playing for his job every Sunday last season, wasn't exactly treated with much respect by the Browns organization. Due to the presence of Manziel, the former Michigan State quarterback faced constant scrutiny and criticism despite a solid run of success.
In early January, Farmer told Mary Kay Cabot of The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "If he [Hoyer] wants to be back, that leverage is definitely in his court to make that happen," and yet this story continues due to ineffectiveness communication between Hoyer and the Browns general manager.
Given that Cleveland has shown interest in a few other quarterbacks in recent weeks, this story may have an ugly finish.
QB Mike Glennon Is a Potential Trade Target
2 of 5
Speaking of potential starting quarterbacks for the Browns in 2015, multiple reports have surfaced concerning the team's interest in current Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon.
According to ESPN insiders Adam Caplan and Jeremy Fowler, Cleveland has been looking into a potential trade for Tampa Bay's 2013 third-round pick:
"They are/have been for some time. MT @JFowlerESPN: Are #Browns looking into Mike Glennon?: http://t.co/yZFEGVNn5O
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) February 24, 2015"
Glennon, who started five games for the Buccaneers in 2014, has (apparently) become expendable due to Tampa Bay owning the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft.
Following a solid 2013 campaign in which he threw 19 touchdowns to only nine interceptions—according to Pro-Football-Reference.com—Glennon failed to assert himself as the team's starting quarterback over Josh McCown this past season. His 57.6 completion percentage and 1-4 record in 2014 won't be enough to stop Tampa Bay from drafting either Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota come late April.
Despite these subpar statistics, Cleveland seemingly is under the impression that Glennon is capable of stepping in as the starter next season. He has shown flashes of above-average quarterback play, as he has already led three fourth-quarter comebacks in his young career.
Due to this potential, the Buccaneers should receive a third-round pick in a trade for their young quarterback, per Caplan:
"Feeling in league circles is that the #Buccaneers, should they be willing to trade Glennon, would yield as high as a 3rd-round pick.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) February 24, 2015"
Cleveland currently owns the rights to the No. 77 overall selection. Assuming Tampa Bay is willing to part with Glennon for a third-round pick, Farmer has the means to make this trade happen.
QB Josh McCown Is Scheduled to Meet with the Team
3 of 5
Strangely, Tampa Bay doesn't want any part of either of its 2014 starting quarterbacks, and Cleveland is interested in both of them.
According to Cabot, former Buccaneers quarterback Josh McCown, who also recently met with the Buffalo Bills, met with the Browns Tuesday and will do so again Wednesday:
"Breaking: QB Josh McCown is visiting #Browns today and tomorrow
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) February 24, 2015"
If bringing him in for a meeting wasn't enough to assume Cleveland is interested in signing the journeyman quarterback, Pettine told Cabot that McCown is a potential option:
"#browns Pettine confirmed josh Mccown "is an option that's being discussed"
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) February 18, 2015"
McCown, who has played in the NFL since 2002, is the oldest member of the three quarterbacks on Cleveland's discussion list. At 35 years old, he can't be the future of the organization, which suggests that the Browns have a different plan in mind for him. Sure enough, Cabot recently reported that the Browns view him as the "perfect mentor" for Manziel.
This isn't the ideal role in the eyes of most quarterbacks. But as Tampa Bay Times reporter Rick Stroud noted late last December, McCown is open to a mentoring role:
"#Bucs QB Josh McCown hoping to return next season and says he's fully willing to be the starter/mentor to a young QB taken No. 1 overall
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) December 29, 2014"
Although McCown was likely speaking of mentoring Glennon—he was not released until February 11—one can assume his acceptance of being a veteran leader and player-coach still stands.
Cleveland would be wise to act fast if McCown is the man it wants, as it appears that he will receive multiple offers this offseason.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
DE Adrian Clayborn Will Be Pursued During Free Agency
4 of 5
The Browns are aware that Tampa Bay finished the 2014 season with a 2-14 record, right? Defensive end Adrian Clayborn marks the third member of the 2014 Buccaneers on Cleveland's discussion list.
According to ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler, Clayborn's name came up in Browns circles during last week's combine talks: "The idea is Clayborn is a talented former first-rounder whose had two unproductive years in four chances because of injury."
The No. 20 overall pick back in 2011, Clayborn was expected to have an impact as a pass-rusher for the Buccaneers. In four seasons and 36 career games, however, the Iowa product has managed just 13.0 sacks with 7.5 of them coming during his rookie season, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com.
Cleveland received subpar play from both of its defensive ends in 2014. According to Pro Football Focus, defensive ends Desmond Bryant and Billy Winn graded out at negative-6.5 and negative-7.7, respectively.
Although Clayborn has played in a 4-3 defensive scheme for his entire career, his 6'3", 281-pound frame suggests he may actually be better suited as a 3-4 defensive end. In addition, Cleveland could be considering him for a rotational role at outside linebacker. Barkevious Mingo hasn't established himself in the way many would have hoped, and the Browns may be in search of a cost-effective support plan.
Regardless of his usage, Clayborn will be one of (likely) many free agents pursued by the Browns this offseason.
WR Cecil Shorts Is Interested in Returning Home
5 of 5
Arguably the biggest free-agent name that has come up in Browns news to date is wide receiver Cecil Shorts.
Per Fowler, the Cleveland native who played his college football at Mount Union is interested in signing with his hometown team when free agency officially begins:
"#Jags receiver Cecil Shorts would be interested in signing with hometown team #Browns, I'm told http://t.co/3h2VvIBUdo
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 21, 2015"
Despite playing in only 40 of a possible 48 games due to multiple minor injuries over the past three seasons, the Jacksonville Jaguars' 2011 fourth-round draft pick has totaled 174 receptions, more than 2,300 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns since assuming an impact role back in 2012, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com.
The Jaguars have three promising young receivers on their roster—Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee and Allen Hurns—which possibly makes Shorts expendable. To be more direct, Jacksonville does not need Shorts enough to give him a mid-market contract.
As a result, it is a near certainty that Shorts and the Jaguars will part ways this offseason. With Gordon suspended and Miles Austin an impending free agent, the Browns could use all the help they can get at wide receiver.
If Cleveland follows the perception of many draft analysts and adds a top-tier receiver prospect, Shorts would be an ideal complement. His 6'0", 200-pound frame isn't going to win him any battles on the goal line, but he has shown an ability to create separation and take the top off defenses.
Cleveland could add a tall wide receiver prospect such as DeVante Parker, Jaelen Strong or Devin Funchess with one of its two first-round picks and solve its wide receiver issues.
Shorts wants to play for the Browns, and Cleveland desperately needs to add wide receiver depth; this looks like a perfect match.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
