FRIDAY, 11:04am: The looming extension for Collins will establish a new high ground for non-rush linebackers, with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reporting (on Twitter) Collins’ new deal will be worth more than Kuechly’s $12.36MM-per-year average. The Browns are projected to possess a staggering $109MM in cap space, according to OverTheCap, so they could afford this despite a number of glaring needs.
THURSDAY, 6:55pm: The Browns are nearing an extension with linebacker Jamie Collins and should have an agreement in place by the weekend, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
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Cleveland, of course, acquired Collins from the Patriots in the fall, sacrificing a conditional third- or fourth-round pick (depending on the circumstances) to do so. New England presumably traded Collins, in part, due to his contractual demands, as he was due to hit unrestricted free agency this March. Collins reportedly turned down an $11MM per/year extension offer from the Patriots, and was intent on topping fellow linebacker Luke Kuechly‘s $12.36MM yearly average.
While those figures may have presented a problem for New England, the Browns are in prime position to meet Collins’ requests, as they’re projected to head into the offseason with a league-high $110MM in cap space. As such, Cleveland has more than enough financial wiggle room to extend Collins, re-sign fellow pending free agent Terrelle Pryor, and explore the open market for upgrades. Of course, by extending Collins, the Browns have afforded themselves the opportunity to use the franchise tag on Pryor if extension talks fail.
Ranking seventh on PFR’s 2017 Free Agents Power Rankings, Collins had expressed an interest in re-signing with Cleveland before hitting free agency this spring. “(Losing is a deterrent) but at the same time, money comes into play around that time,” Collins said last month. “If the money is right then I could stay here. Obviously I’m not going to turn it down.”
Collins, 27, started eight games for the Browns after being shipped to Cleveland, posting 48 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble during that time. All told, Collins graded as just the 44th-best edge defender in the league, per Pro Football Focus, a far lower rating that he’d attained in years past. Reports indicated that Collins had begun “freelancing” in New England’s defense, but clearly the Browns were impressed enough by his half-season stint to retain him for the long haul.
Do it, then on to Pryor.
Hopefully he will dominate in Gregg Williams’ defense. #ComeGetSome Go Browns
If the Browns have that much cap space, they can actually field a decent team next year. Resign Collins and Pryor, and you’ll still have more than $90 million to go get what you need, along with draft picks. Not sure who’s in this free agent class, but solid guys who sign for reasonable prices could push this team to 8-8.
I think even with that much money to spend the best they will be able to do is decent…it all comes down to them finally getting someone under center who can lead their offense…they will be able to fill a lot of holes but QB is always the trickiest position to fill
Yeah, but they can always bring in someone who’s not terrible, like Fitzpatrick, or take a gamble on a Tyrod Taylor rebound.
Fitz IS terrible. Tyrod is not a starter either.
Giving out big money just because you have cap space is a total Browns move. If they give Pryor big money, they are completely insane.
just shut up
Guess I hit a nerve. Are you related to Fitz, Tyrod, and Pryor? Who knows (or cares). But sometimes the truth hurts.
I know they’re not great, but better than the current in house options, and heck, mark sanchez has been to the AFC Championship, so if they sign a strong group of free agents, and an upgrade at quarterback, or at least someone who you hope will give you continuity, they can be a decent team.
True. Mark Sanchez could go to CLE and instantly be the best QB they ever had. That pretty much sums up the franchise.
Exactly. I could see them going after Cousins though.
No, you didn’t hit a nerve, you just never have anything constructive to say. Always a criticism. So, just go back to blowing Flacco or whatever it is you do to normally occupy your time.
lol nothing constructive after all you said was “just shut up”…
Yeah you’re the one making argumentative remarks. Not me.
Want me to say something constructive? Hmm…I think the Browns have a chance to beat the Ravens. Maybe twice. In the next 15 years. There, I’ll throw you a bone.
I loved blowing Tyrod when he was a Raven, but now I bad mouth him because he left my precious team of flying rats
He really must be about nothing but the money.
Funny how Pats defense improved without him.
I always want to criticize these guys for choosing money over winning. However, in a league where your career can be over with one hit, you really can’t blame them.