7 Players the Cleveland Browns should have never let get away
By Randy Gurzi
With one of the longest and most storied histories in the NFL, the Cleveland Browns have had some great players including some they should have held onto longer
Every year the Cleveland Browns are faced with some tough decisions when it comes to roster moves. There have been times when they have made the right move as well as many examples of them letting the wrong player walk.
Whether it be through trade, failing to find common ground on an extension, or maybe not seeing the potential and releasing a player, Cleveland has had some gaffes in this area.
This isn’t meant as a way to disparage the team, because every NFL franchise has had their share of missteps. The good news for the Browns is it’s starting to feel as though they’re now making the right decisions with John Dorsey in charge.
That hasn’t always been the case as we look at seven players Cleveland had on their roster that they never should have let go. Unfortunately, their list is long so we do have a few omissions to mention before we get started.
Toughest Ommissions
Mitchell Schwartz, Offensive Tackle (2012-2015)
In case we needed any reminders about the type of player the Browns let walk in 2016, Mitchell Schwartz was a First-Team All-Pro in 2018 for the Kansas City Chiefs. After starting every game for four seasons in Cleveland, Schwartz was signed away by the Chiefs, who were being led by general manager John Dorsey at the time.
Since heading to Kansas City on a five-year, $33 million contract, Schwartz has continued to be a reliable starter, as he now has 112 consecutive starts. One of the better right tackles in the league, he just signed an extension that keeps him with the Chiefs through the year 2021.
T.J. Ward, Strong Safety (2010-2013)
A second-round pick out of Oregon in 2010, T.J. Ward left in the 2014 offseason after signing a four-year deal worth $23 million with the Denver Broncos. Considering he had 325 tackles, five interceptions, and five forced fumbles in his four seasons with Cleveland, he was well worth that payday.
Ward didn’t finish the final year of his contract with Denver, but he made a Pro Bowl in 2014 and finished with 224 tackles, three picks, and another five forced fumbles in three seasons there.