Category: 2020 NFL Free Agency

Browns sign free agent OG Michael Dunn

Browns sign free agent OG Michael Dunn and waive UDFA TE Nate Wieting

It didn’t take long for Kevin Stefanski’s prophecy to come true. Cleveland’s head coach said earlier this weekend that the team was looking to sign more offensive line talent to fill in the gap left by three players opting out. On Sunday, the team made it a reality.

The Browns have signed free agent offensive lineman Michael Dunn. Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.

Dunn last played in the XFL in March. He was the starting right guard for the Seattle Dragons. The 6-5, 315-pound Maryland product does have NFL experience, playing on the practice squads for the Rams (in 2017) and Jaguars (2018) as well as preseason of 2019 with the Miami Dolphins. Dunn also played in the AAF.

He has the ability to fill in at both guard and tackle, effectively filling the role left open when Drew Forbes opted out.

To make room for Dunn on the team’s 80-man roster, the Browns waived undrafted rookie TE Nate Wieting.

Report: Browns made higher offer to DE Vinny Curry but he’s staying with the Eagles

The Browns appear to still be interested in bolstering the depth at DE

Vinny Curry has agreed a one-year deal to remain with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to a report from NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport that was quickly confirmed by several Philadelphia-area outlets. The veteran agreed to terms on a new contract that will pay him up to $2 million.

Curry will stick with the Eagles despite a more lucrative offer on the table from the Cleveland Browns, according to another report out of Philadelphia from Geoff Mosher. It seems the Browns are still interested in upgrading the depth at the defensive end spot.

There was chatter about the Browns chasing another pass rusher, and Curry remained one of the top available ones on the free agent market. Now he’ll stay in Philadelphia regardless of any Browns interest.

Andrew Billings has opted out from playing in 2020

Billings’ one-year contract tolls to 2021

One of the Browns top free agent additions this offseason has elected to instead opt out of playing. Defensive tackle Andrew Billings was placed on the NFL’s opt-out list by the Browns on Tuesday.

Billings is the third Browns player to opt out, joining offensive linemen Drew Forbes and Drake Dorbeck. His one-year contract tolls to 2021 without penalty, per the agreement between the NFL and NFLPA that allows players to opt out in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The 25-year-old nose tackle was expected to see extensive action along the revamped defensive line. Billings spent his first four seasons in Cincinnati, though he missed his rookie campaign with a torn knee ligament.

His departure leaves the Browns thin on the defensive interior behind starters Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi. Rookie Jordan Elliott and seldom-used vets Daniel Ekuale and Eli Ankou represent the current depth.

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Listen: ‘All Eyez on Cleveland’ with Josh Keatley talking UDFAs, Clowney, Mack Wilson and more…

Listen: ‘All Eyez on Cleveland’ with Josh Keatley talking UDFAs, Clowney, Mack Wilson and more…

‘All Eyez on Cleveland Podcast’ with guest Josh Keatley, contributor at The Browns Wire and host of The Browns Wire podcast is now available. Listen to show host Brad Ward (@WardonSports) as he talks Cleveland Browns football with the most influential personalities in the Cleveland sports landscape.

On this episode of ‘All Eyez on Cleveland’ –

  • Special guest Josh Keatley, contributor for TheBrownswire.com and host of The Browns Wire podcast joins the show
  • Josh provides a break down the Browns UDFAs
  • Should Browns continue to pursue Clowney?
  • The makeup of the linebacker room
  • Prioritizing who is a part of the Browns long term core
  • Who gets extensions?
  • What rookie contributions can be expected?
  • Plus Brad on Fauci and NFL
  • What he learned about Garrett lifting weights barefoot
  • The T-shirt contest winners
  • And tons more…

You can listen to all episodes of ‘All Eyez on Cleveland’ podcast on multiple platforms, including iTunes, Spreaker, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Google Play, TuneIn, Radio.com, Podknife and Player FM.

‘All Eyez on Cleveland’ with guest Josh Keatley –

Listen: https://chtbl.com/track/DDGB4C/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/alleyezoncleveland/All_Eyez_on_Cleveland_with_Guest_Josh_Keatley.mp3

Listen(Apple Podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-eyez-on-cleveland-podcast/id1497838211#episodeGuid=ebfaa0c3-72ad-46a9-a270-582a132dffb8

Listen:https://soundcloud.com/brad-ward-355479499/all-eyez-on-819079494

Listen(Web Page): http://alleyezoncleveland.com/all-eyez-on-cleveland-with-guest-josh-keatley

 

Latest Jadeveon Clowney reported offer from Browns shows why it’s not going to happen

The latest reported offer from the Browns to free agent Jadeveon Clowney shows why it’s never going to happen if Clowney turns it down

The ongoing courtship between the Cleveland Browns and free agent EDGE Jadeveon Clowney fired up once again this week. A report from Ben Axelrod of Cleveland TV station WKYC indicates the Browns have offered the ex-Seahawk $15 million on a 1-year deal.

Other recent reports have noted that the Browns have consistently been the highest bidder for Clowney’s services this offseason, though no actual dollar figures have ever been confirmed by anyone.

Our take

If the Browns did in fact offer Clowney $15 million for one year and he refuses the offer, consider the infatuation dead. Clowney refusing to sign for $5 million per sack (he had 3 in 2019) means he has no real interest in playing for Cleveland. It’s hard to fathom any other team offering him that kind of payday; more than half the NFL cannot even make that offer due to the salary cap.

Clowney is a talented player and he would definitely help the Browns defense. But overpaying for what is at most a minor upgrade over Olivier Vernon makes no sense. If Clowney thinks he’s worth more than $15 million in 2020, it’s beyond time for the Browns to move on and let him wreck another team’s salary cap.

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Listen: ‘All Eyez on Cleveland’ with Browns Wire’s Jeff Risdon

Listen: ‘All Eyez on Cleveland’ with Browns Wire’s Jeff Risdon, talking Berry’s structure, Baker Mayfield, Clowney and more

‘All Eyez on Cleveland Podcast’ with Jeff Risdon, Managing Editor of The Browns Wire and The Lions Wire, Host at ESPN 961, NFL reporter at RealGM, is now available. Listen to show host Brad Ward (@WardonSports) as he talks Cleveland Browns football with the most influential personalities in the Cleveland sports landscape.

On this episode of ‘All Eyez on Cleveland’ –

‘All Eyez on Cleveland’ with guest Jeff Risdon:

Listen: https://soundcloud.com/brad-ward-355479499/all-eyez-on-353186089

Listen(Apple Podcasts): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-eyez-on-cleveland-podcast/id1497838211

Download/Listen: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/alleyezoncleveland/All_Eyez_on_Cleveland_with_guest_Jeff_Risdon.mp3

Web Page: http://alleyezoncleveland.com/all-eyez-on-cleveland-with-guest-jeff-risdon

 

 

The Hurry Up Podcast: Clowney says no? Baker Mayfield quiet in offseason

The Hurry Up Podcast: Clowney says no? Baker Mayfield quiet in offseason

Host Mac Robinson is flying solo to discuss the latest developments in the never-ending saga of free agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and the Cleveland Browns, as well as Baker Mayfield’s offseason silence and Joe Woods’ defensive scheme.

Be sure to follow Mac (@MacRobinson95) and the podcast (@HurryUpPodcast) on Twitter for all of the latest news and notes surrounding the podcast, the Browns, and all things football! Feel free to support the podcast today by becoming a patron!

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The Browns Wire Podcast: Clowney talk, safety depth and XFL Purchase

The Browns Wire Podcast: Clowney to the Browns talk, safety depth and the fate of the XFL

Welcome to The Browns Wire Podcast, hosted by Josh Keatley (@JoshKeatley16). This week Adam Moore (@Moore2102) and I discuss the possibility of Jadeveon Clowney joining the Browns, the safety depth and the possibility of the XFL being purchased.

It’s also available on all of your favorite podcast apps, including iTunes, TuneIn, Stitcher and Spotify. Thanks for listening!

Music provided by Good Reverend.

Schefter: Browns made biggest offer to Jadeveon Clowney but he refused it

Adam Schefter declared the Browns have made the biggest offer to Clowney but he has yet to bite

In an appearance on ESPN 850 WKNR in Cleveland on Wednesday, ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the Browns have indeed aggressively pursued free agent DE Jadeveon Clowney. In fact, Schefter advised that the Browns have made the biggest offer to the ex-Seahawk, but Clowney rejected the offer.

Speaking about the Browns, Schefter said this on their much-speculated pursuit of Clowney,

“I think they’ve been the most aggressive team with him financially. And I just think he has balked at going to Cleveland, for whatever reason. I think he’s been hesitant to go because if he wasn’t, he would have gone already because it’s the most money. It’s the richest offer on the table and he hasn’t taken it.”

Schefter continued,

“Why is that? I don’t know. Is that not wanting to be in that city? Is that a lack of belief in the organization?”

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He concluded,

“There is no doubt that Cleveland has offered the most money to date. For whatever reason he has not been willing to take it so far. That doesn’t mean it couldn’t change, but it hasn’t changed just yet.”

Clowney is recovering from post-season sports hernia surgery. With the travel situation impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, conducting a thorough physical exam on the 27-year-old, 3-time Pro Bowler has not been able to take place. Clowney had three sacks in 13 games in his one season in Seattle after bagging 29 sacks in his first five seasons with the Houston Texans.

Report: Browns still front-runners to land Jadeveon Clowney

A report from Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports indicates the Cleveland Browns are still interested in free agent DE Jadeveon Clowney

Jadeveon Clowney remains conspicuously available on the NFL’s free agent market, and at least one national reporter believes the Cleveland Browns remain very interested in the former Seahawks defensive end.

Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports joined the Pat McAfee Show and weighed in on the ongoing linkage between the high-profile defensive end and the new-look Browns.

“I still think it’s the Browns,” Robinson leads off with when asked who would have the most interest in Clowney.

Speaking as if he were Clowney and coming off a failed one-year experiment in Seattle, where he played under the franchise tag after forcing a trade out of Houston, Robinson notes the difficulty in the sales pitch to teams,

“When are you going to have the 12-to-14 sack season? You haven’t done that. We’re not going to pay you like you’re a 15-sack guy. You want $20 million (a year), that’s a 12-to-15 sack guy every single year.”

Clowney has never had a double-digit sack season (career-high of 9.5 in 2017) and bagged just three in 13 games with the Seahawks. Robinson posits that Clowney could once again be forced to take a one-year “prove-it” deal, and that’s where the Browns come in.

“I think the Browns are interested in (Clowney) longer term than that,” Robinson opined.

The Browns do have considerable salary cap room in 2020 to lock up Clowney for one of those prove-it deals. Signing him to a longer deal would require salary concessions on Clowney’s part or sacrificing elsewhere on the roster in Cleveland.

The segment involving Clowney’s fate and the possible Browns connection is available on McAfee’s YouTube channel: