Joe Thomas Trade Rumors: Latest News and Speculation on Browns OT

Following an 0-8 start to the year, the Cleveland Browns have been linked to a potential trade involving offensive tackle Joe Thomas before this year's deadline. However, the team has denied any interest in doing so.

Continue for updates.

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Thomas Comments on Potential Trade

Sunday, Oct. 30

"I have no idea, but I'd be surprised," Thomas told reporters when asked about a potential trade away from Cleveland, per Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan.

"It feels good to be loved. I’m hoping that they stick to their word on that," Thomas said on Oct. 26, per Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com. "Obviously, I really want to be here. It’s important for me to be part of the turnaround.

"There’s no surprises in the NFL. So you always have to be ready and be able to roll with any punches that you’re given, but I wouldn’t expect to be traded obviously."

"We are not going to trade Joe Thomas," Browns head coach Hue Jackson told reporters on Oct. 24, per Albert Breer of The MMQB. That came after Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk reported Sunday that a deal could happen but that it's looking increasingly likely Thomas will finish the year with the Browns.

Florio floated the Minnesota Vikings as a possible trade partner but also noted the hurdles Minnesota would have to clear in order to acquire the nine-time Pro Bowler.

According to Spotrac, the Vikings have only $748,267 in available salary. They also sent their 2017 first-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Sam Bradford trade.

"The chances of a trade happening this year currently are regarded as smaller than the chances of a trade were a year ago," Florio wrote.

ESPN.com's Pat McManamon reported on Oct. 15 that Thomas isn't angling for a trade out of Cleveland, further pointing to him staying with the team.

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Latest on Thomas Trade Market 

Friday, Oct. 28

Florio reported there is limited interest in Thomas, and while two teams have explored a potential trade, it does not appear a move will be finalized.

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Front Office Interested in Thomas Trade

Wednesday, Oct. 26

Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reported the Browns front office is interested in moving Thomas before the trade deadline:

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Thomas Is Enticing Trade Target for Teams

If the Browns are ever going to trade Thomas, the best time to do so will be in the offseason, when they're likely to have more suitors. Cleveland would also have more time to weigh all of its options instead of working against a ticking clock in the case of the Nov. 1 deadline.

It's not as if the Browns need to deal Thomas anyway—now or in the offseason. He's signed through the 2018 season and continues to be one of the NFL's better tackles. Cleveland is in the middle of a rebuild, but that doesn't mean it needs to sell off all of its valuable assets. The team still needs a foundation on which to build.

For the right price, a Thomas trade could make sense for the Browns. Unless another team goes above and beyond, though, Cleveland should consider holding on to the 31-year-old.