Report: Cleveland Browns pull offer to Mitchell Schwartz
NFL free agency officially begins today at 4 p.m. but it has already been a long day for the Cleveland Browns.
The team, which will reportedly lose wide receiver Travis Benjamin to the San Diego Chargers and center Alex Mack to the Atlanta Falcons, has also reportedly withdrawn its offer to right tackle Mitchell Schwartz.
Per multiple sources, Browns have yanked offer to OL Mitchell Schwartz. (It could be posturing.)
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 9, 2016
Schwartz was recognized as a top offensive lineman in the NFL in 2015 and his performance against Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller in October stands out. Schwartz held Miller to only one quarterback pressure when they met, and that alone speaks volumes regarding the talent level this young man has to offer.
Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reported earlier this morning that the Browns had offered Schwartz a lengthy contract worth nearly $7.5 million per season, a deal that reportedly put them in a good position to retain the four-year veteran.
Hearing RT Mitchell Schwartz has a decent chance of returning to the #Browns. About $7.5 million a year.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 9, 2016
That contract would make Schwartz the second-highest paid right tackle in the NFL, only behind Lane Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles, who earned a hefty payday last season at $11 million per year. Sounds pretty nice for both parties, right? At least until the Pro Football Talk report came out stating that Cleveland no longer had their offer on the table.
The confusion is increasing for Browns fans and even agents are bewildered by the hesitation on the part of Cleveland’s front office. It was perceived that the Browns would certainly lose two of their guys, but it was also expected that the organization would bring back either Mack or Schwartz.
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
The thought process for the front office was if head coach Hue Jackson and executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown could convince All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas on the future of this franchise, it would be possible to persuade his peers on the market to buy into the philosophy as well.
A relatively quiet first day for the Cleveland Browns in free agency, although there is always a second wave of players getting signed on great deals. Expect the Browns to fill some holes in the next week through free agency, however it’s clear the Browns are preparing to rebuild this organization from scratch through the draft.
Next: Alex Mack to sign with Atlanta
The Cleveland Browns will open free agency today with a little more than $48 million in salary cap space to spend. Follow Dawg Pound Daily for all the latest news on free agency as the Browns work to rebuild their roster.