The Browns made “small offers” for ex-Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo this season, but weren’t involved in talks for the New England backup before Bill Belichick & Co. traded him to the 49ers, tweets Michael Lombardi of the Ringer. Cleveland head coach Hue Jackson reportedly “pushed hard” for a quarterback addition during the offseason, but the Browns never offered anything close to the (likely early) second-round pick San Francisco sent to the Patriots, per Lombardi. Meanwhile, Belichick may have been reticent to “help” the Browns given his history with the club, sources tell Daniel Jerermiah of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Here’s more fallout from the extremely active trade deadline:
- Before acquiring wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin from the Panthers, the Bills had interest in fellow pass-catcher Martavis Bryant, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link). However, the Steelers never seemed to express any serious interest in dealing Bryant despite his off-field question marks. Ultimately, Buffalo shipped third- and seventh-round picks to Carolina for Benjamin, whom Bills general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott are familiar with given the pair’s time with the Panthers.
- The Patriots made and received calls on offensive tackle Cameron Fleming prior to today’s deadline, tweets Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. New England was known to be “open for business,” so it come as no surprise that the club would entertain offers for Fleming, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2018. Given the dearth of offensive line talent around the league, the Patriots may have believed they could wrangle a pick package for their swing tackle. Fleming, 25, has played only seven snaps in 2017.
- Every Cardinals defensive back aside from rookie Budda Baker was available today, per Lombardi (Twitter link), who is presumably referring to safeties given that Arizona isn’t going to trade cornerback Patrick Peterson. Veterans Antoine Bethea and Tyvon Branch — each of whom are over the age of 30 — would have made sense as trade candidates, while the Cardinals may have also attempted to rid themselves of Tyrann Mathieu‘s contract, although that’s entirely speculation.
I just posted this a few minutes ago in a topic down below but are the browns giving up on Kizer? Why else would you try to get AJ?
Probably want a QB that can come in and win a few games and let the rookie develop the old fashioned way. Throwing him in like Watson and a few others has not worked. As an Irish fan, still hoping he develops.
They need to give up on Coach Ego Jackson. He’s on what number Qb he can’t develop now throwing others under bus saying he wanted someone else? Yeah I wanted Watson as my fantasy QB but I’m not blaming anyone else for not getting him:). One win in 1.5 years and counting does not provide for tenure since all those high draft choices last few years showing zero results so far. Can you say coaching issues? It’s early but you tell me where buck stops ?
Well said!
The Bills deal reminds me of getting Jack Kemp as well as having the one and only Elbert Dubenion (born February 16, 1933), nicknamed “Duby” or “Golden Wheels”
It’s funny to read a tweet that reports that the browns were celebrating their trade and forgot to call it in in time. A 2nd and a 3rd for Mccaron? They may be celebrating they didn’t make the deal. That would have been 2 2nd round picks and a 3rd spent this year on a QB with Kizer and McCaron when they passed on the likes of Wentz and Watson. How this front office is still employed is beyond me
All the Browns quarterbacks have had nobody to learn from. Give Kizer a veteran to learn from and he might actually turn it around. Instead they play tag with every qb they have and crash and burn. They need a front office overhaul.
Belichick did not want to help the Browns because he used to work for them? That Browns team is now in Baltimore, the one in Cleveland now has no ties to him. And didn’t he make a trade with them last year? Remember the Jamie Collins trade? More likely the Browns never called about Jimmy G at deadline