The Browns appear set to roster just one lucrative wide receiver contract obtained via trade. After agreeing to acquire Amari Cooper, the Browns have given Jarvis Landry permission to seek a trade, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
Landry loomed as a departure candidate before Cooper’s arrival, and the Browns are currently $3MM-plus over the cap. Landry, with the Browns since 2018, is due a $14.3MM base salary in 2022. The Pro Bowl receiver’s contract expires after this coming season.
It is not a lock Landry departs, with Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer noting the team would take Landry back at a different price. This points to a pay-cut request, though it is uncertain how much of a trim the team is seeking. The longtime Browns pass catcher is also open to staying in Cleveland, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. The sides had been discussing a reworked deal, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, but this process has progressed further post-Cooper (Twitter link).
Cleveland is unlikely to collect much — if anything — for Landry in a trade, but the team would save more than $14MM by either trading or cutting the eight-year veteran. Landry, 29, agreed to a five-year, $75.5MM extension with the Browns after they traded for him in 2018. He delivered two Pro Bowl seasons in Cleveland and has been Baker Mayfield‘s most consistent target, despite the team giving up far more to acquire Odell Beckham Jr. in 2019. Cooper is now set to fill the role of Mayfield’s (or a to-be-determined replacement’s) No. 1 target.
A former Dolphins second-round pick, Landry is a five-time Pro Bowler. But he averaged just 47.5 receiving yards per game last season, missing five contests during a disappointing Browns season. Landry also did not exceed 1,000 yards in 2020, despite Beckham’s midseason injury. His value has certainly plummeted, pointing to a free agency trip soon.
Browns brought in some toxic guys, and have paid the price for it. Looks like they are now trying to purge that toxic mess. Fixing issues they should have been smart enough not to make in the first place. Character matters. The Browns offense is a prime example of what happens when you build without regard for it. If I’m Baker, I’m still looking to run as far from Cleveland as possible when able. They have totally done him wrong.
Don’t have to worry about being outright toxic, except he just doesn’t care about football as you’d like you #1 WR. I have a Cooper jersey, but his play in the playoffs and just didn’t seem to care on the last drive was enough for me.
What makes Landry toxic?
Some people just love to cape for Mayfield. Browns ‘have totally done him wrong’? Landry is toxic? Give me a break. They surrounded Mayfield with a great offensive line, got Chubb, Landry, and OBJ. If he can’t perform, it’s on him (or injuries).
Are you suggesting Jarvis Landry is toxic? He was the catalyst to the change. You can hate on the Browns, and they deserve almost all of the criticism they get. But Jarvis was THE move that turned the franchise around. If there is one guy who isn’t toxic, it’s Jarvis.
Landry isn’t toxic. His only issue is his production vs what they are paying him. It’s unfair to assume it is a character issue every time a team wants to trade or cut a player.
Who is toxic? The only toxic guy was OBJ and he’s gone. General consensus is that Landry is great and that the locker room is great. Just trying to paint more of “the Browns is the Browns” narrative and the nobody wants to play in Cleveland crap. Things have changed and it’s about productivity not attitude.
Raiders maybe ?
As a Browns fan who watched Landry turn the culture of this team around and whose favorite player is Landry, this is super sad. A bittersweet day for sure
I think they wore Landry out. He’s got a couple good years in him with the right team.
Calling it now … Landry to the Jets
Jets seem unlikely after drafting Moore last year. The Bills would make sense with Beasley out the door.
Remember when Landry broke Aaron Williams neck with a pos style blind side hit. Remember when S Aaron williams was lucky to walk again and surely never played a snap of football again? Pepperidge Farm remembers…
I like Pitt as a fit here for whatever new QB route they’re taking.