JC Tretter can stabilize the center position if he stays healthy
By Joel W. Cade
The Cleveland Browns signed JC Tretter to stabilize the center position. Is he the longterm answer or will his injury history make him a just a quick fix?
One of the main offseason priorities for the Cleveland Browns was to stabilize the center position. After watching Cameron Erving struggle for a season, Browns fans will be delighted when they see free agent acquisition JC Tretter lock the position down.
On Thursday, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo reported that the Browns would sign Tretter as a free agent from the Green Bay Packers:
JC Tretter will officially be a Cleveland Brown in about five hours. That deal is getting done. Expected to be their new center.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 9, 2017
Per Josh Edward of 247 Sports, Tretter will receive $16.75 million over three years with $10 million in guaranteed money:
#Browns 3-year deal for center JC Tretter worth $16.75 million. Will pay $10 million in guaranteed money.
— Josh Edwards (@EdwardsCBS) March 10, 2017
Tretter is 26 years old and entering his fourth season in the league after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, his career has been plagued by injuries, but when he is on the field, his play has been outstanding.
According to Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report, Pro Football Focus had Tretter ranked as the ninth best center last season with an 84.1 grade. Heading into free agency, Pro Football Focus had Tretter ranked as the highest-rated center on the market.
The combination of age and production was too much for the Browns to pass up. Signing Tretter potentially brings stability to a position that saw three different players be ineffective in 2016, and one player effectively play the position before getting injured.
Head coach Hue Jackson welcomed Tretter to the team, according to the Browns’ team website:
"J.C. is a very athletic center who played in Green Bay and did a good job for them. He had a little injury history, but comes here healthy and ready to go. We’re happy to have him."
When on the field, Tretter’s play is deserving of the contract he received from the Browns. Let’s see what the Browns are getting from him.