Joe Thomas Reveals What Browns Told Him Regarding Trade Rumors

The Cleveland Browns reportedly gave left tackle Joe Thomas assurances they will not trade him with the 2016 NFL draft looming.

Tony Grossi of ESPN.com noted Thomas said to him on Wednesday night that Browns “officials have told him [there are] ‘no plans’ to trade him.” Grossi did tweet “we shall see,” especially since Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk pointed out “few players have been linked to trade talks more often than” Thomas.

Smith cautioned against assuming the Browns won't ship out Thomas if the right opportunity arises, especially since the 31-year-old offensive lineman has a cap hit of $9.5 million in 2016 and $10 million in 2017 and 2018. While Thomas is a formidable presence along the offensive front, that is a hefty price to pay for a team that probably won’t be contending for the postseason in the immediate future.

The Browns may very well be busy on Thursday considering Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported they have talked to teams about either moving back in the first round from the No. 8 spot or moving into the first round from their second-round pick. Thomas is a talented piece who could help entice another team to give Cleveland some younger pieces to accelerate the rebuild.

The Browns' last winning record came in 2007, and they only have two winning campaigns since 1999. They are rebuilding once again under new head coach Hue Jackson, and their competitive window will likely come after Thomas is still performing at a prime level.

The left tackle is a nine-time Pro Bowler, a six-time first-team All-Pro member and was recently named Pro Football Focus' best offensive lineman of 2015, per Ben Stockwell of Pro Football Focus.

Stockwell said Thomas led offensive tackles in pass-blocking efficiency and only allowed 24 pressures on 705 snaps. Stockwell also said Thomas’ “run blocking was strong for a third year in a row.”

Thomas is still an elite player even though he is on the wrong side of his 30th birthday, and a team in win-now mode that is in need of help along the offensive line could overwhelm the Browns with an offer. If that was the case, Cleveland’s plans not to trade him could change.