Cleveland Browns: Four candidates for contract extensions in off-season
By Dan Justik
J.C. Tretter
The Cleveland Browns signed center J.C. Tretter to a three-year, $16.75 million contract prior to the 2017 season. Although he had his ups and downs in his first season in Cleveland, Tretter was one of the best centers in the NFL in 2018, despite battling a high ankle sprain for most of the season.
More from Browns News
- How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
- Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
- 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
- Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
- 5 Free agents from Super Bowl LVII Cleveland Browns should target
Pro Football Focus graded Tretter as the seventh-best center in the league in 2018. Pro Football Focus graded him as the third-best pass blocking center, as he allowed only 14 pressures this season. Tretter was in the middle of arguably the best pass blocking interior offensive lines in the league.
With how well Tretter played in 2018, he quickly became a candidate for an extension this off-season. Tretter will be 28-years-old when his contract expires, and he would be one of the most sought after offensive linemen in that free agent class.
One of the biggest keys for the Browns is to be able to protect their franchise quarterback, Baker Mayfield. The Browns offensive line was incredibly successful at protecting Mayfield during the second half of the season, and the interior of the offensive line was a big reason for that. It should be a priority for the Browns to maintain that over the next couple of seasons, so they should sign Tretter to an extension during the off-season.