Cleveland Browns facing tough decisions along the offensive line
The Cleveland Browns have several key decisions to make in free agency, not the least of which concerns their own offensive line.
As free agency is going to be upon us starting March 9, the Cleveland Browns find themselves facing decisions on a few of their own impending free agents, but the most debated topic has been about the free agents to be along the offensive line.
Heated Twitter debates have ensued and friends lost over this exact topic: Do you pay center Alex Mack the $10 million-plus per year he will demand once he opts out of his current deal? Or do you sign up-and-coming right tackle Mitchell Schwartz to a new deal? Can the Browns afford to sign both? Is Mack nearing the decline of his career? Has Schwartz improved enough to warrant the team to continue to develop him?
All these questions have been tossed around and met with debate from Browns fans and media hosts alike.
We can all agree on the importance of a top-notch offensive line to protect the quarterback. The Browns have been fortunate to have Joe Thomas solidifying the left side of the line for the past nine years, so left tackle hasn’t been an issue.
Related: 10 options if Mitchell Schwartz leaves in free agency
But with the team moving forward, and in all likelihood drafting a young quarterback with the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, solid offensive line play will be more important now than ever before.
The last thing a team wants is to bring a rookie quarterback in and have him get eaten alive by opposing defenses due to a porous line in front of him.
The Browns head into free agency about $40 million under the salary cap and are positioned to change the culture of the franchise this offseason, not only in free agency but in the draft as well.
With quarterback, wide receiver, linebacker and the secondary being the main focus in the draft, in all likelihood, it’s important for the Browns to make sure they keep the offensive line intact moving forward.
With that being said, the importance of both a quality center and right tackle are necessary to complement the stalwart Thomas on the left side of the line.
Going into this it seemed as if the Browns could let the older, more expensive Mack walk once he opted out of his contract and free agency began, but after looking at the cap figure and the importance of protecting the investment at the quarterback position, it’s imperative that the team finds a way to keep this group intact moving forward.
Mack was a Pro Bowler again this year, and Schwartz has proven he’s no slouch at right tackle after posting what may be his best season as a pro. Schwartz was even rated by Pro Football Focus as the top player at his position during the 2015 season.
They key to signing both Mack and Schwartz to deals will be if executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown and chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta can construct back-loaded contracts for each player.
Related: Alex Mack reportedly open to resigning with Cleveland
What does this mean?
It means the first couple of years of whatever deal they sign will be cap friendly to the Browns, leaving a majority of the un-guaranteed money and higher salary toward the end of the contract.
By doing this, the Browns position themselves to have Mack and Schwartz under contract along with the ability to cut them or restructure their deals once their cap number grows to what they may deem no longer worth it.
It also ensures that the team keeps in place the offensive line that has been one of its strengths for years to come.
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The Browns have plenty of holes to fill on the roster and resigning the top two free agent lineman at their positions goes a long way in helping this team improve at a quicker rate.
If they would lose one or both, the Browns would have to fill the need through the draft or by signing some other teams cast-off via free agency. Each option is not as appealing as keeping the teams proven commodities as it allows the Browns to focus and address other positions in the draft.
So, in the end, all the griping about salary cap money and numbers amongst fans, friends and media needs to quell. The Browns are in a great position salary cap wise, and should be positioned to sign both Mack and Schwartz to deals and keep the offensive line as a strength for years to come.
In the end, who cares how much it costs? It’s not our money to spend anyway, and the Browns’ future quarterback will be thankful that he’s still standing at season’s end.