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3 players fans wish could come out of retirement for the Cleveland Browns

By Greg Newland

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 23: Place kicker Phil Dawson #4 of the Cleveland Browns kicks a 48 yard, game-winning field goal during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 23, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Seahawks 6-3. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 23: Place kicker Phil Dawson #4 of the Cleveland Browns kicks a 48 yard, game-winning field goal during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 23, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Seahawks 6-3. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 13: Fullback Brit Miller #49 of the St. Louis Rams is hit by defenders D’Qwell Jackson #52 and Joe Haden #23 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 13, 2011, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 13: Fullback Brit Miller #49 of the St. Louis Rams is hit by defenders D’Qwell Jackson #52 and Joe Haden #23 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 13, 2011, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) /

Linebacker D’Qwell Jackson

Since the return in 1999, the Browns have not had a ton of long-term success at the linebacker position. The one bright spot was the former second-round pick from Maryland, D’Qwell Jackson. In eight seasons with the Browns, Jackson had 100-plus tackles in five of those seasons. Jackson missed games in 2009 and the entire 2010 season with injuries, but played all 16 games in his final three seasons with the Browns.

If the Browns had more success in the win column, Jackson would have been elected to multiple Pro Bowls and was a major All-Pro snub in 2011 when he racked up 158 tackles (12 tackles for loss), 3.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, and an interception. Unfortunately, the Browns went 4-12 with a last-place finish in the AFC North and Joe Thomas was the only selected Pro Bowler.

Jackson was a leader on and off the field and it was disappointing to see him released in 2014, which saved the Browns over $5 million in cap space. Jackson received a lot of interest in free agency, but ended up signing with the Indianapolis Colts.

Mack Wilson is the only returning starter for the Browns at linebacker in 2020. Sione Takitaki and B.J. Goodson are expected to be contributors, but have never been full-time starters in the NFL. An experienced linebacker like Jackson would be a huge benefit to continuing the development of Wilson and Takitaki.

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