Now owning Brock Osweiler‘s rights after arguably today’s strangest move, the Browns now must proceed with this uniquely acquired asset. There are conflicting reports as to how they will do that.
One option would be to outright cut him, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter) the Browns plan to do that — unless they can find a trade partner. And, interestingly, Adam Schefter reports teams have already reached out to the Browns about Osweiler (Twitter link).
One Browns source told ESPN.com’s Josina Anderson (Twitter link) the focus of this deal was the second-round pick and not Osweiler, who finds himself in limbo after an underwhelming season. A year ago, the Texans made Osweiler a rich man by signing him to a four-year, $72MM deal. Now, it’s uncertain where he’ll play after being traded following an underwhelming season.
The Browns only have Robert Griffin III and Cody Kessler on their roster but have been linked to likely first-round quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky and Deshaun Watson, along with Jimmy Garoppolo in a trade. The team, though, has put itself in an unusual position by acquiring Osweiler and his $16MM financial attachment. Cleveland’s brass hasn’t made a final decision on RG3 just yet.
Why would you release him for nothing if all the moneys guaranteed anyways? At worst he could be a backup, it’s not like the Browns receiving corps are going to improve over night. I’d keep him for the year and evaluate.
obviously they’re not on the hook for the 16M…because this trade would make no sense
It makes some sense. As the article read the trade was essentially for the second round pick and they can take the hit by cutting him because they have so much cap space(107 I believe). So this years 4th for this years 6th and next years 2nd. Not bad.
They’re on the hook for his salary. And please explain how it makes no sense. The Browns have plenty of cap space and traded a 4th rounder for a 2nd and a 6th.
So the Browns place a $16M value on a 2nd round draft pick? Odd…
Only the Browns could be this stupid
Yeah getting a 2nd round pick is stupid….try again
Dude, your bashing is getting old and boring.
Well in fairness, they think they can eat some money and move him for a pick in the 3rd or 4th round range, according to Jason La Canfora. So it would really be like 6 million for a 2nd, 4th, and 6th. Which is reasonable.
Don’t forget they have a salary floor they have to reach.
They have plenty of cap room, there is literally no harm to the Browns here. If the Texans miss out on Romo, this deal looks amazing for the Browns.
This is a smoke screen, nobody in their right mind would want this bums contract. If the Browns are stuck with this guy, it’ll be the stupidest trade ever, lmao. Just because you have a ton of cap space doesn’t mean you blow it like a drunken sailor. Leave it to the Browns
Ian Rapoport has no idea what they’ll do. He’s just blowing wind……or is that passing gas?
They don’t have to pay him squat. If they cut him, their cap takes a 16m hit. Who cares when you’re sitting on a 100m cap space like they are. Keep him and they owe him the 16m. Cut him and they owe him nothing. They got a 2nd rounder out of the move. If the patriots did this move, everybody would hail them as the smartest org in the league.
The Patriots have a history of great moves so if they did this they may have gotten the benefit of the doubt. The Browns are the Browns though
Agreed – but it is a start
Yes, the same Browns who:
Got a starting CB in a swap of 7th round picks.
Traded a PUNTER for a 4th round pick, then signed a punter that was both cheaper, did better, and didn’t get injured.
Got a Pro Bowl LB for a late 3rd round pick.
Plus, it’s now looking possible that Terrelle Pryor may not get an offer about 10m per season and will come crawling back to the Browns, who may get 2 top WRs for right around the franchise tag cost and just a bit more than the Eagles paid for 1 WR.
Yeah, but the Browns make no good moves, do they?
Don’t know how you get they owe him nothing, his 16m is guaranteed for this year.
Yeah they owe him 16 M this year so you’re wrong.
The guaranteed $ was paid by the Texans in the form of a signing bonus. The rest of his contract is not guaranteed. The reason teams cut players is because nobody will take on the contract (see cutler, see kapernick). The cutting team absorbs the cap hit. If you can trade a contract, the cap hit goes with the contract. It is exactly what is happening with romo – the cowboys would much rather trade him than cut him. His cap hit is about 10m. Good move by browns for a change.
I actually think this is a fantastic trade for both teams. For the Texans, they now have the cap space to either sign or trade for Tony Romo. Osweiler was a complete failure, and they already admitted that they made a mistake by benching him in favor of Tom Savage. I like that they’re getting rid of him and just admitting that he’s a sunk cost. That’s the smart thing to do rather than to stubbornly keep him around. Sure, it has cost them a second-round pick in 2018, but if that means getting Romo and competing for the Super Bowl this year, then it’s worth it.
As for the Browns, they had the most cap space in the NFL entering free agency, so they can afford to have Osweiler hang out for a year for $16 million. And for a second-round pick in a loaded 2018 draft class? Why not? On top of that, perhaps the Browns will be able to develop Osweiler. He was once considered a promising quarterback, and he’s only 26. Perhaps he’ll amount to something. And if not, well, the Browns can just cut him next spring and not worry about it.
Read more at link to walterfootball.com
The people saying this was a dumb move honestly don’t know anything about sports. Cap is not an issue for the Browns, they had like $100 million in free space, so Osweiler’s single guaranteed year hardly affects them. Now look at the rest of the trade. The Browns trade a 4th round pick for a 2nd and a 6th. In what world is that dumb? With or without Osweiler the Browns aren’t doing anything this year, so no harm to them. If the Texans miss out on a good replacement QB, this deal looks even better for the Browns.
Someone will view Osweiler as an asset….
Chicago is dumb enough.
SF is dumb enough.
WAS is dumb enough if Cousins forces their hand….
It doesn’t really make sense to cut him this year. They can get actual on field value out of him this season and cut him next year b/c its not guaranteed.
Kaepernick, Cutler, Geno, Oz and Sanchez all available…and I can’t think of a serious buyer for any of them.