K Phil Dawson Declines to Say Whether Browns Offered Him a Contract

Former Browns kicker Phil Dawson is now kicking for the San Francisco 49ers after signing a one-year, $2.25 million deal, including a $1 million signing bonus.

On Thursday, he held a conference call with the Cleveland media as a way to say a formal goodbye, because that’s just the kind of guy Dawson is.

During that call, Dawson declined to say whether the Browns even offered him a new contract, but judging by the amount the 49ers are paying him, it probably didn’t happen.

Either that or Dawson is ready to finally play for a winner. And can you blame him?

He is easily the best player the Browns have had since returning to the league in 1999 and capping it off with a Pro Bowl berth is a pretty solid way to go out. Dawson still has plenty to offer and the 49ers give him a chance to win a championship next season and beyond.

Meanwhile, the Browns have worked out a trick shot artist from Norway named Havard Rugland. The Dawson-less era is already weird.