HEADLINES

Browns Rumors

Latest On Browns’ OBJ Agreement

November 6th, 2021 at 6:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

After a turbulent week, the Browns and Odell Beckham Jr. agreed to separate. The disgruntled wide receiver is not set to be waived until Monday, but he did not practice this week and is effectively done as a member of the Browns. It took some negotiating to complete this transaction.

A Friday agreement paved the way to the sides’ impending divorce, and some interesting details surfaced regarding Beckham’s status Saturday. While the Browns tweaked Beckham’s deal to make him a 2022 free agent (instead of a 2024 UFA, which the wideout’s Giants-constructed contract previously called for), his salary if he is claimed on waivers would go unchanged. A team that is awarded Beckham on waivers would be hit with the receiver’s $7.25MM in remaining salary. Beyond that, Cleveland made more changes.

If no one claims Beckham, the Browns will only be on the hook for $4.25MM of that salary, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The Browns converted some of Beckham’s salary into a roster bonus, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes. The NFLPA signed off on Cleveland’s restructure, CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora tweets.

The bonus would be another team’s responsibility if it claims OBJ, increasing the likelihood he will go unclaimed Tuesday. Claims are due by 3pm CT Tuesday. Beckham will lose out on that $3MM bonus if no team claims him, further illustrating his desire to hit free agency. The Browns trimming years off the contract and using a roster bonus stands to help OBJ while saving the team some cash.

The Browns could have converted much of Beckham’s salary to a signing bonus, reducing the base to the point it would increase the likelihood a team claims him. This ran the risk of Beckham being claimed by a team near the top of the waiver priority list, a scenario the scuffling wideout almost certainly wants to avoid. The nature of this restructure also increases the chances Beckham will end up with a contender of his choosing.

AFC teams like the Chiefs, Patriots or Raiders could show interest, but NFC squads are also preparing to pursue him. The 49ers, Saints and Seahawks are expected to show interest in Beckham, in the likely event he hits free agency Tuesday afternoon. The Raiders also appear to prefer DeSean Jackson to Beckham. The Saints made a series of calls on receivers — Beckham and Darius Slayton among them — at the deadline, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes. New Orleans’ lack of a proven quarterback figures to hurt its chances, however. Beckham was also intrigued by the 49ers a while back, Fowler adds. The 49ers were linked to Beckham via trade before the Browns acquired him in 2019.

OBJ has pocketed a considerable amount of cash over the course of his career, but he turned 29 this week and has seen his value crater in Cleveland. The former Giants Pro Bowler has been unable to consistently show that form with the Browns, with injuries and a limited rapport with Baker Mayfield impacting this decline. None of OBJ’s issues in Cleveland stemmed from off-field matters, according to ESPN.com’s Jake Trotter, who adds Beckham and Mayfield were not at odds off the field. But on it, the two failed to click for most of the three-time Pro Bowler’s three-year Cleveland stay.

Browns Place RT Jack Conklin On IR

November 6th, 2021 at 11:13am CST by Ben Levine

The Browns will be without one of their top offensive linemen for at least the next three games. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that right tackle Jack Conklin has landed on injured reserve.

Conklin dislocated his elbow during last weekend’s loss to the Steelers. Fortunately, the veteran will likely avoid surgery, and there’s optimism that he’ll be able to return to the lineup later this season.

This is poor timing for the 27-year-old, as he had just returned to the lineup after recovering from a knee injury. The eighth-overall pick by the Titans in the 2016 draft joined the Browns in 2020 on a three-year, $42MM deal. He started 15 games during his first season in Cleveland, earning first-team All-Pro honors (the second of his career). He’s started each of the six games he’s appeared in during the 2021 campaign. Blake Hance will likely start at right tackle while Conklin’s out of the lineup.

The Browns have also activated fullback Andy Janovich and center Nick Harris from injured reserve, and they promoted defensive tackle Sheldon Day and tight end Miller Forristall from the practice squad (per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal).

Browns, Odell Beckham Jr. Rework Contract; OBJ To Be 2022 Free Agent

November 5th, 2021 at 6:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Browns and Odell Beckham Jr. will officially part ways Monday. They spent days reworking the disgruntled wide receiver’s contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets, and the sides reached a separation agreement Friday afternoon.

The Browns agreed to remove the final two years of OBJ’s contract, Schefter tweets. Beckham, whose Giants-constructed extension previously ran through 2023, is now set to be a free agent after this season. The veteran receiver will officially be waived Monday. Waiver claims on Beckham will be due Tuesday afternoon, though the redone contract is pending the NFLPA’s approval, per Schefter (on Twitter).

This might all be immaterial given Beckham’s 2021 salary. He is still due $7.25MM for this season’s remainder, Schefter tweets. The transaction could not be processed Friday because of an NFL rule prohibiting teams restructuring players’ contracts and cutting them on the same business day. Regardless, Beckham will be off the Browns’ roster by Monday, ending a messy divorce that escalated this week.

Although Beckham was once one of the NFL’s most talented receivers, his value has dipped considerably. Injuries have slowed the 29-year-old wideout in each of his three Cleveland seasons. He played through multiple issues in 2019 and saw a torn ACL shelve him midway through last season. That knee injury kept him off the field for this year’s first two Browns games, and Beckham has also run into a shoulder ailment this season. In six 2021 games, OBJ has just 17 receptions for 232 yards and no touchdowns.

Last week, Beckham caught just one pass. The Browns could not find a taker for the eighth-year vet ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, and Beckham did not practice with the team this week. He will not play against the Bengals and figures to be on another team by this time next week. Whether that will come via free free agency or the waiver wire remains to be seen.

Only nine teams (excluding the Browns) hold more than $7.25MM in cap space presently. Though teams have myriad ways to create additional room, adding that salary in November is a pretty big ask. A team claiming Beckham could spoil his plans to find a way to a better situation. With the waiver wire determined by inverse record order, OBJ runs the risk of being claimed by a struggling team. However, the lofty second-half salary still provides a fairly good chance this saga ends with Beckham unclaimed and picking his next team via free agency. Even that might be a rental agreement that precedes Beckham signing with potentially a fourth team in March.

Browns Officially Release Odell Beckham Jr.

November 5th, 2021 at 9:10am CST by Zachary Links

It’s officially official. On Friday morning, the Browns announced that they have released wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. 

[RELATED: OBJ Made Multiple Trade Requests]

“After careful consideration, internal discussions, and conversations with Odell and his representation, we’ve determined that it is in the best interest of all parties involved that Odell no longer play for the Cleveland Browns,” GM Andrew Berry said in a statement issued by the team. “We appreciate all his efforts and contributions while in Cleveland, but we’ve just reached a point where it is best that we move forward as a team without Odell. We are finalizing the process of granting Odell his release and we wish him well as he continues his career.”

Despite Berry’s diplomacy, it’s safe to say that the Browns are not huge fans of Beckham or his contributions. OBJ won’t be leaving Cleveland with fond memories either. After two-and-a-half seasons and 29 total games, he’ll leave with 114 catches and 1,586 yards, good for an average of 13.9 yards per reception. He scored just seven receiving touchdowns along the way, with per-game averages of 3.9 grabs and 54.7 yards per contest.

But, before he relocated to Ohio, Beckham was an absolute monster in New York. OBJ topped 1,300 yards in each of his first three seasons, including a career-high 1,450 yards in 2015. And, after his lost 2017 season, he still managed 77 catches, 1,052 yards, and six touchdowns in a 12-game 2018.

The Browns gave up 2019 first- and third-round picks, plus Jabrill Peppers and Kevin Zeitler, to acquire the star receiver and defensive end Olivier Vernon. He stayed healthy that year, but turned in his worst full season as a pro with 74 receptions, 1,035 yards, and four TDs. Now, that stands as his most productive season in Cleveland.

The rest of the league will have until 4pm ET/3pm CT Monday to claim Beckham. If he goes unclaimed, Beckham will be an unfettered free agent.

Browns’ Odell Beckham Jr. Made Multiple Trade Requests

November 5th, 2021 at 9:09am CST by Zachary Links

No surprise here, but Odell Beckham Jr. asked to be traded multiple times, according to a source who spoke with Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. One of those requests came this past offseason, as the wide receiver was rehabbing from an ACL tear. 

[RELATED: Browns To Waive Odell Beckham Jr.] 

Beckham also asked the Browns to trade him after their 15-10 loss to the Steelers on Halloween, when he finished with one catch for six yards. The Browns listened on offers between then and the Nov. 2 deadline, but couldn’t find a suitable deal. Now, after revising his contract to shift a portion of his base salary into bonuses, he’s headed for the waiver wire.

The Steelers game was the straw that broke the camel’s back, according to Cabot’s source. The Browns mostly used Beckham as a decoy while the offense sputtered, and OBJ told the Browns that he had enough. Cabot hears that the relationship could have been salvaged, had Beckham been more involved in Week 8. However, based on what we’ve been hearing, it sounds like he still would have had a number of fences to mend, including a fractured relationship with quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Browns To Waive Odell Beckham Jr.

November 5th, 2021 at 8:58am CST by Zachary Links

The Browns will release Odell Beckham Jr., according to sources who spoke with Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports. The disgruntled wide receiver could be officially waived today, as the two sides have agreed to a revised pact that will reduce the Browns’ dead money hit (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport).

As it stands, Beckham is owed another $8MM in salary for the rest of the year. Meanwhile, the Browns are working to convert a portion of his base salary into bonuses (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). A revised deal would lessen the Browns’ financial obligation to Beckham in the event that he’s claimed. For his part, OBJ would prefer to go unclaimed so that he can sign with any club of his choosing.

Beckham has been at odds with the Browns for much of his tenure and Tuesday’s comments from OBJ Sr. didn’t help matters. Wide receiver Rashard Higgins and quarterback Baker Mayfield were clearly bugged by the Instagram highlight reel and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt indicated on Thursday that he’s planning for life without the LSU product.

“We are going to go in and plan for the guys who are going to be there at this point,” Van Pelt said. “That is our focus…We will see where that goes from here. Again, just getting the guys ready who are here in the building today to go play on Sunday.”

Beckham, who turned 29 today, has just 232 receiving yards in his six games this season. All in all, OBJ’s Browns tenure will end with 114 catches, 1,586 receiving yards, and seven receiving touchdowns across 29 games.

Saints, 49ers, Seahawks Among Potential OBJ Suitors

November 4th, 2021 at 10:36pm CST by Ben Levine

If Odell Beckham Jr. ends up getting cut by the Browns, it sounds like he’ll have a list of potential suitors. Sources tell Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com that the Saints, 49ers, and Seahawks would be among the teams interested in adding OBJ.

The Saints were mentioned as a landing spot for Beckham prior to the trade deadline, but the two sides were unable to hammer out a deal. New Orleans’ need for a wideout was exacerbated following news that Michael Thomas won’t play this season. Running back Alvin Kamara currently leads the team in receptions, and the team will continue to look toward the waiver wire and free agency for reinforcement, regardless of how the OBJ saga unfolds in Cleveland.

The 49ers have plenty of talented wideouts in Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Mohamed Sanu, and they’ll get another big target back once tight end George Kittle returns to the lineup. However, considering the offense’s inconsistency, you can’t blame the 49ers for wanting to add another player at the position. The Seahawks are another team that are hoping to make a late run towards the playoffs in the tough NFC West. Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf won’t be bumped from atop the depth chart, but OBJ would provide Russell Wilson with another reliable option (once the QB returns from injury).

Florio mentions that the Packers could make sense as a suitor, but the team has “yet to emerge as a viable destination.” Further, Florio notes that the Buccaneers would make sense considering Tom Brady‘s ability to recruit receivers to Tampa Bay, but it doesn’t sound like they’ve been mentioned as a suitor.

Latest On Browns WR Odell Beckham Jr.

November 4th, 2021 at 7:59pm CST by Ben Levine

The Odell Beckham Jr. saga in Cleveland continues to heat up. After the wideout sat out practice again on Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com writes that OBJ has likely requested his release.

As Cabot writes, it sounds like comments from the receiver’s dad ruffled some feathers within the Browns organization, with wideout Rashard Higgins making it clear that he’d never criticize his quarterback. Odell Beckham Sr. continued to fan the flames today when he onc3 again cited a video that show Baker Mayfield‘s inability to connect with his well-paid wideout. We still haven’t heard from Beckham Jr. regarding the social media shenanigans, but the silence seems to be pretty clear.

Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt indicated that he’s ready to move on from the current distraction, and it sounds like he’s already preparing for an offense without OBJ.

“We are going to go in and plan for the guys who are going to be there at this point,” Van Pelt said (via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com). “That is our focus.

“As of now, again, we are just getting ready for today’s practice. We will see where that goes from here. Again, just getting the guys ready who are here in the building today to go play on Sunday.”

Beckham’s contract is the main complication surrounding a divorce. The wideout is still owed $8MM this season, and there’s a limited number of teams with the required cap space to claim the player off waivers. Cabot suggests that the two sides could work on a creative agreement that would see OBJ give up a chunk of his owed money.

 

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/4/21  

November 4th, 2021 at 2:10pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s taxi squad moves:

Buffalo Bills

  • Signed: OL Jacob Capra, WR Austin Proehl

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Kansas City Chiefs 

  • Signed: TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Seattle Seahawks

Browns’ OBJ Excused From Thursday Practice

November 4th, 2021 at 8:26am CST by Zachary Links

The saga continues. Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will be excused from practice for a second straight day (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). 

[RELATED: Browns Will Likely Move On From Odell Beckham Jr.]

The Browns opted against trading Beckham at the deadline, despite interest from the Saints and other teams. Meanwhile, Beckham’s father and LeBron James ignited a #FreeOBJ hashtag, urging the Browns to deal the star wideout.

The Browns excused Beckham from Wednesday’s practice while head coach Kevin Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry talked through the situation with Beckham’s agent. Those talks are still ongoing, per Garafolo, though some believe that OBJ has played his last snap in Cleveland. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is also willing to smooth things out, though he’s keeping the focus on this week’s game against the Bengals.

“Yeah i think any conversation would go a long way,” Mayfield said (Twitter links) “[As for a] resolution? I don’t know about that right now. [But], if he’s back, we’ll work through it and I can put my ego and pride aside to win.”

Beckham, who turns 29 tomorrow, is still owed $8MM in 2021. If he goes on waivers, any team claiming him would have to assume the balance of that contract. If he were to go unclaimed, the Browns would be on the hook for that sum.

Load More Posts