Mitchell Schwartz to Kansas City after Browns rescind offer
Mitchell Schwartz joined the Kansas City Chiefs after the Cleveland Browns took back an offer for him to rejoin the team.
The Cleveland Browns are a team in turmoil and the front office has a lot of explaining to do.
Travis Benjamin started the morning by signing with the San Diego Chargers. Alex Mack is joining the Atlanta Falcons, and Tashaun Gipson is joining the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The above three were expected to sign elsewhere, but Mitchell Schwartz seemed to be someone the team could re-sign to salvage the day.
That did not turn out to be the case.
Mitchell Schwartz Chiefs deal: $33 million, $15M gtd, $7M signing bonus, salaries $750K, $4.9M, $5.7M, $6M, $6M
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 10, 2016
Losing Schwartz decimates an offensive line already filled with problems after the departure of Mack.
But the fact Schwartz left in general is not the main story. The Browns came into the day with an offer on the table and a seemingly legitimate shot to re-sign him. Then a new angle emerged to further frustrate Browns fans.
Per multiple sources, Browns have yanked offer to OL Mitchell Schwartz. (It could be posturing.)
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 9, 2016
The Browns, after realizing they had little to no chance to re-sign Benjamin, Mack and Gipson, decided to take away the option for Schwartz to re-sign.
This is baffling, even for the Browns. If they do not believe in spending big on bringing free agents in from other teams, that’s understandable. But that means the goal is building through the draft, and retaining that talent.
All four players who left today began their respective careers with the Browns, so the whole retaining strategy becomes obsolete.
Is there even a strategy in place right now? There does not seem to be one on a day where four starters left for other teams.
Said a Browns player re: the team pulling its offer for RT Mitchell Schwartz: "I'm as confused as anyone." @nflnetwork
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) March 9, 2016
PFT says it was the @Browns who pulled their offer from Mitchell Schwartz. Killing A Coach/QB's Career 101.
— DawgPoundNation.net (@DawgPoundNation) March 9, 2016
The above tweet puts it perfectly. The Browns brought it Hue Jackson to turn things around, but are doing nothing to give him talent on the field.
And if the plan is to draft a quarterback, whoever comes in will have very little protection from the offensive line.
As much as fans think things can’t get worse, today may have been the lowest point in a long time.
Next: Report: Tashaun Gipson to sign with Jacksonville Jaguars
The Cleveland Browns had a rough start to free agency, but there is still time to acquire some talent. Follow Dawg Pound Daily for all the latest news on free agency as the Browns work to rebuild their roster.