Linebacker Jamie Collins‘ stint with the Browns will go down as a rather short-lived one if the in-season trade acquisition departs Cleveland as a free agent during the offseason. Collins did plenty of winning with his previous team, the Patriots, and is now part of the NFL’s worst club, but he’s nonetheless open to re-signing with the Browns.
“(Losing is a deterrent) but at the same time, money comes into play around that time,” Collins told reporters, including Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, on Friday. “If the money is right then I could stay here. Obviously I’m not going to turn it down.”
Collins then added that he’s “real close” with his Browns teammates, which could help the franchise’s cause if it makes an earnest attempt to re-sign him. There haven’t been any indications that the Browns and Collins have engaged in contract talks since they traded either a compensatory third-round pick in 2017 or a fourth-rounder in 2018 to New England for him on Halloween. The deal came as a shock to NFL observers, but Collins’ production hasn’t really slowed down in its wake.
Since landing in Cleveland, Collins has amassed 43 tackles, two interceptions, a sack and a forced fumble in seven games. He ranks as Pro Football Focus’ 36th-best edge defender among 110 qualifiers this year, which is more good than great, but the 27-year-old still has a reputation as one of the league’s premier linebackers. During his five-year career, Collins has totaled 12.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and five picks, and is reportedly hoping to turn his impressive output into a deal worth more per year than the $12.36MM star Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly makes. Whatever the cost, head coach Hue Jackson is hoping Collins re-signs with the Browns.
“I just let him to know that we really want him here and try to have him see the vision of what we’re trying to create,” Jackson told Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan of SiriusXM NFL Radio. “And show him where he’s going to be a huge piece of that. And hopefully ask him to stay here in Cleveland.”
Jackson’s hopes could rest on whether the Browns are able to re-sign their other priority free agent, wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, before the franchise tag deadline in March. If the Browns don’t lock up either Pryor or Collins by then, they might have to decide on which of the pair will hit the open market. Tagging Collins would cost less than Pryor (an estimated $14.754MM versus $15.826MM), but there have been rumblings that Cleveland could simply elect to let the defender walk and receive a 2018 compensatory third-rounder for its trouble. That would essentially offset the move to acquire Collins in the first place.
Why would you want to be a part of the Browns?
They have a million picks in the next draft. Maybe they sign Tyrod Taylor, too.
i dont want him he’s talented but lazy and he’ll be even lazier once he gets his money.