The back and forth Joe Schobert saga has reached an endpoint. The Browns will indeed let the linebacker walk in free agency, a source told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
Back in November we heard that the two sides had discussed an extension, but not long after that we got word that things had cooled and the Browns were in no hurry to re-sign him. They appeared to be headed toward a split when John Dorsey was still in charge, but then Dorsey’s firing seemed to open things up again and new GM Andrew Berry resumed talks. Kay Cabot reports that Berry met with Schobert’s agent at the combine this week, and that the meeting didn’t go too well.
The Browns let Schobert’s agent know that they wouldn’t be giving him the “double-digit millions” he’s looking to get annually on the open market, Kay Cabot writes. Sources told Kay Cabot that the Browns are “planning to make a big investment” in their offensive line, and that they’re saving their cap space for that push.
Cleveland drafted Schobert out of Wisconsin in the fourth-round back in 2016, and he developed into a solid starter. He made the Pro Bowl in 2017, and has generally been very productive. He started all 16 games this past year, racking up 133 tackles, four interceptions, two sacks, and nine passes defended. As for where he’ll go next there are many teams that will be interested in Schobert’s services, and the Packers are exploring making a bid for the inside linebacker, according to Tom Silverstein and Jim Owczarski of Packersnews.com.
Come home to Wisconsin!
Don’t think the packers are gonna give him double digit millions either. So unless he’s taking a discount, I don’t expect him in GB.
Pass. He’s a poor man’s Blake Martinez. For the money I’d rather have Martinez back. If he wasn’t a Badger no one would give two craps about him in Wisconsin.
You don’t understand football if you think anyone is a poor mans Martinez. Slow, lacks instincts, horrific in coverage, volume tackler….that is a Martinez. Anyone on the field as often as he was would come up with similar numbers….which are tabulated subjectively in the first place.
What he said
“Planning on making a big investment in their offensive line” Thanks for the detective work Mary Kay Cabot. She’s such a hack.
Lots of reasons to not be a fan of MK Cabot, but reporting the facts seems like a goofy one.
Prob signing Bulaga
Gonna need defense too.. Schobert and Ward were only players to show any life..
Well and Myles Smollet
This guy loves cannolis
I’d be on board with him wearing midnight green if the deal’s right
I think Schobert is a good player. He may be in the franchise tag range for AAV for MLBs, but he gets his butt run over by AFC North run heavy teams. If he’s in a pass happy division, then this signing would make sense. Multi years at double digit AAVs seems a bit to high for Schobert imo… packers do make sense. Why not tag and trade him? Even if it’s for a 7th round pick? The demand in the market is probably there.
So he can join the Cardinals
Schobert can go to the bears
Maybe they can find someone better whose on the field 100% except always hurt like joe was
Guys missed 3 games in 4 years.
But he hasn’t been producing as he was in season 1 he’s dropped off by a lot with one of the worst rush and pass defense in the league, and your linebackers are part of that cause
Because he plays for the Browns
I wouldnt blame Joe for their struggles. He was far and away one of the only guys making plays on that sad defense
Browns should target Littleton the best linebacker free agent to help this defense find itself
If they are looking for another helmet swinger they will probably target Burfict.
Schobert could be a look to fit for Ravens inside LB position. That said not sure Ravens would go double digit millions for him.
Yea i thought he would be a good fit for us middle linebacker but not for that money
I thought ravens already had a really good ilb hitting the market that they’re trying to bring back
Browns making the right move here Schobert is good tackler by volume but not great in coverage and doesn’t make tackles for loss, he’s not worth the money he’s asking for and they have bigger needs to take care of , they are actually being smart here for a change hopefully it’s a positive sign of the upcoming off season