Cleveland Browns: Did Christian Kirskey announce his release on social media?

The Cleveland Browns have already released several veteran players behind their analytical evaluations. Will Christian Kirksey be the next to go? And could he have announced as much on social media?

The Cleveland Browns have made some changes this offseason already. When a new regime takes over the front office, there is always a possibility of veteran players being released.

This has been the case thus far with the likes of veterans T.J. Carrie, Adarius Taylor, Demetrius Harris, and Eric Kush having already been released. News also broke this week that Cleveland will not resign veteran linebacker, Joe Schobert.

The next Browns player that could be on the way out is veteran linebacker, Christian Kirskey and there’s a chance he could be alluding to his own release with a cryptic tweet from Monday.

Kirksey has been a solid player for the Browns since 2014. He is a player who brings fire to the team and constant leadership. When fully healthy, he has had seasons with 138 and 148 tackles respectively.

The problem is Kirskey has not been healthy as of late. To make matters worse, he is due over $9 million in 2020. The Browns simply cannot afford to pay a player that much money to not see the field.

Fellow linebacker Schobert has been far more productive and consistent for the Browns, but will not be resigned because he and his agent are asking for at least 10 million a year or more. By this logic, it makes no sense to keep Kirksey and pay him $9 million when he has missed 23 games in the last two years.

Kirksey and the Browns could come to an agreement and restructure his contract. For that to happen, his salary would likely be cut in half to somewhere around 4-5 million. A restructured deal could certainly happen, but it seems more likely right now that he will be released.

Kirksey is a fan favorite and has been nothing but good to the city of Cleveland, but his time here is likely running out. The Browns need to find younger players who are more durable and less expensive to fill his spot. Current linebackers Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki coming into their second year will get the opportunity to be starters and get plenty of playing time.

Cleveland has moved on from defensive captain Joe Schobert, will Kirksey be the next to go? Only time will tell, but do not be surprised to see Kirksey in another uniform come fall — which could perhaps be his ‘blessing in disguise’.