Report: Tashaun Gipson to sign with Jacksonville Jaguars
Reports are confirming that Tashaun Gipson has agreed to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Cleveland Browns are having a horrendous start to free agency.
This morning began with Travis Benjamin heading to the San Diego Chargers. Then Alex Mack agreed to join the Atlanta Falcons, followed by Mitchell Schwartz signing with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Tashaun Gipson was the last major free agent the Browns had a chance to re-sign. Then this happened.
I'm told Tashaun Gipson earned a 5 year deal worth $35.5M from the #Jaguars.
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) March 9, 2016
The Browns made it clear that Gipson would not be offered a large contract, but these reported figures seem to be something the Browns could have easily offered. After losing Mack, Schwartz, and Benjamin, it should have occurred to someone that money was freed up to make a last-minute offer to Gipson.
Gipson had a career season in 2014, followed by a solid performance in 2015. No matter how much the front office wanted to devalue Gipson, he is still someone who could have been a major asset to the defense in 2016.
His departure adds to the already terrible day for the organization.
Alex Mack: Atlanta.
— Hayden Grove (@H_Grove) March 9, 2016
Travis Benjamin: San Diego.
Mitchell Schwartz: Kansas City.
Tashaun Gipson: Jacksonville.
Tough day for Cleveland.
Losing Mack and Schwartz is the main story, but Gipson and Benjamin were talented players whose losses will be felt as well.
As with the others who left, it is hard to blame Gipson. He joined the team in 2012 as an undrafted rookie free agent, and will now be earning tens of millions in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars are a team on the rise, made even more evident by their willingness to go after someone like Gipson to shore up the defense. The Oakland Raiders have made similar moves, making sure they will not remain at the bottom of the standings. The Browns have done the opposite.
The Browns made it clear they were not going to pay him what he wanted, essentially forcing him out of town, knowing he could find a great offer elsewhere.
The Browns must try to replace Gipson through the draft, as they have yet to make any serious offers to any of the top talent still out there.
Next: Report: Cleveland Browns may target Stefen Wisniewski
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.