Five Browns players who might be finished in Cleveland
By Dan Justik
Morgan Burnett
When the Browns hired Steve Wilks as defensive coordinator last season, the front office knew they were going to need to add to their safety room. Wilks’ defense required an extra defensive back on the field, and it was generally a safety who would fill that spot.
Signing Morgan Burnett was a low-cost move that had the potential of paying off for the Browns. The young defense needed a veteran presence, and Burnett had the chance to grab a starting job on the defense.
That’s what Burnett did and he became a key player for the defense, playing in 100 percent of the defensive snaps in three games. However, Burnett was only limited to playing in eight games due to injuries, including a season ending ruptured Achilles.
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Burnett’s Achilles injury makes it increasingly likely the Browns move on this offseason. Burnett’s performance has already dropped as he gets older, and the 31-year-old recovering from a significant injury is likely going to slow him down even more.
Although he is under contract for 2020, Cleveland would gain cap space by moving on from Burnett. The Browns could save $3.375 million in cap space by cutting Burnett before June 1.
Now that Burnett no longer has Green Bay connections in the front office, as well as his diminishing performance and injuries, it appears that Burnett’s tenure in Cleveland will last just one season.