Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

Should Cleveland Browns seek a reunion with Christian Kirksey?

By Randy Gurzi

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 22: Christian Kirksey #58 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 22: Christian Kirksey #58 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Cleveland Browns released Christian Kirksey in a cap-saving move ahead of the 2020 season but with him available again, should he be brought back?

One of the more popular players during his tenure, Christian Kirksey was let go by the Cleveland Browns during the 2020 offseason after struggling to stay healthy for the past couple of seasons.

A former third-round pick in 2014, Kirksey was tied with Joel Bitonio as the longest-tenured member of the team before his release and he was also a fan favorite. Unfortunately, he was also dealt a bad hand when it came to injuries.

Kirksey missed nine games in 2018 and 14 in 2019, which made it hard to justify keeping him for the final year of his four-year, $38 million contract. This led to his release and subsequent signing with the Green Bay Packers.

After landing a two-year, $16 million deal with the Pack, Kirksey racked up 77 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and four pass defenses. He also missed five games, which might have contributed to his release from Green Bay last month.

The question now, is whether there should be a homecoming for Kirksey in Cleveland. The reasons for the move are easy to see. One, Kirksey can still play when healthy. Two, he’s far better than anyone currently on the roster. And three, he may be willing to take a reduced contract after being released for the second time in as many years.

As for the negatives, that would again be his durability. After playing in all 16 games from 2014 through 2017, Kirksey started to miss time. Having said that, he was healthier in 2020 than he has been in a while and was even on the field for the Packers two playoff games — just think how much better Cleveland could have been with Kirksey on the field for the Chiefs’ critical drive in the Divisional Round.

Set to turn 29 this season, Kirksey wouldn’t be a long-term answer but he would be an upgrade over B.J. Goodson and Malcolm Smith as the veteran leader in the linebacker room.

dark. Next. Will there be tension if Baker Mayfield isn’t extended?

With all this being said, a reunion would make perfect sense at the right price. Especially since it would allow them to pass on the position in the draft and focus on developing players such as Mack Wilson, Jacob Phillips, and Sione Takitaki.

Home/Browns Roster