Cleveland Browns not trading Joe Thomas, yet

After rumors came out Sunday night, Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson made it clear the team is not trying to trade left tackle Joe Thomas.

The NFL is not often known for blockbuster trades during the season, but the Cleveland Browns were rumored to be in the mix to make one after this current 0-7 start.

Left tackle Joe Thomas is easily the most valuable player on the team, and perhaps the best at his position in the entire league. This often leads to his name coming up in trade rumors, and the rumor mill was back in business Sunday night.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk started the rumors, but Hue Jackson spoke to the media and shut them down right away.

Seems simple enough. This does not take away the possibility of perhaps trading Thomas in the offseason, but it at least shuts down the rumors now so the team can focus on football and ignore the outside noise.

Trading Thomas could bring the team another second-round draft pick, but it would be a disaster for the offense. With so many injuries along the line this year, Thomas has remained the constant. Getting rid of him may mean the Browns would be starting a new quarterback each week, as any semblance of protection would be taken away with his departure.

There is also the fact that Thomas is one of the greatest players in franchise history. If his talent was declining, trading him would make sense. But there is no need to let him go when he is still among the best at his position. This rebuilding team is full of problems, but Thomas occupies the most important position on the offensive line and does it at an elite level. Who knows how bad the offense may be if he wasn’t there.

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An 0-7 start often opens up the talk of trades and further dismantling a roster, but Hue Jackson did a great job to get the focus back on football, no matter how hard that may be.