A Browns defender who bolted for the Vikings breaks…..
Shortly after signing a contract to join the Minnesota Vikings, former cornerback AJ Green of the Cleveland Browns shared a message on Tuesday.
After signing with the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2020, Green’s journey with the franchise has been interesting. He made 34 appearances, including two starts. In addition to contributing to special teams, Green also grabbed two interceptions.
Green leaves Cleveland amicably, but he chose to sign a reserve/future contract with the Vikings.
“Grateful for the Last Four Years in Cleveland! I value the relationships I built with the Fans, Front Office, Coaches, and Players throughout the Years!” Green contributed to X.
It’s not easy to navigate Cleveland’s cornerback depth chart. The Browns have featured Greg Newsome, Martin Emerson Jr., and Pro Bowler Denzel Ward—possibly the best trio of cover men in the league. In the fifth round, the squad also selected Cameron Mitchell, who played for a while.
In Minnesota, Green will have an opportunity to join the active roster and advance in the NFL.
Eagles Signed Browns Receiver Austin Watkins
Promising young receiver Austin Watkins signed an offseason deal with the Eagles, which was news to the Browns.
Getty Photographs
Promising young receiver Austin Watkins signed an offseason deal with the Eagles, which was news to the Browns.
Green is hardly the first well-known player to join a new team. Austin Watkins, a promising wide receiver, signed a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.
During the four exhibition games, Watkins led the Browns in receiving yards, which helped him gain popularity among fans. Of the players in Cleveland, he was the only one with more than ten receptions (16 for 257 yards and two touchdowns).
Watkins was re-added to the practice squad after being cut at the conclusion of the preseason. According to Noah Weiskopf of theOBR.com, he didn’t play in a game with the Browns and didn’t think he was treated fairly.
“Watkins is said to get along with the Browns front office, but there’s also a sense that he wasn’t given a fair opportunity to show off his skills this season, especially following such a successful preseason,” Weiskopf said.
Security Moving on, Tanner McCalister signed a contract with the Denver Broncos. Last season, he was given a three-game suspension.
On Monday, January 15, the Browns announced the signing of nine players to reserve/futures contracts. Linebacker Charlie Thomas III, defensive end Isaiah Thomas, tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden, defensive end Lonnie Phelps, running back John Kelly Jr., receiver Jaelon Darden, defensive end Vincent Gray, and defensive tackle Chris Williams were among them.
Linebacker Caleb Johnson and defensive tackle Jayden Peevy were two more players added to the reserve/future contracts group.
There are gaps in the Browns defense for free agents.
Among the important defense players for the Browns who will be unrestricted free agents is Za’Darius Smith.
During an 11-6 run in the regular season, the Browns hung their hat on defense. Cleveland won numerous statistical categories and had the best defense in terms of yards allowed per game (270.2).
However, with certain important players expected to be free agents next season, things might appear rather different. This group consists of linebackers Sione Takitaki and Anthony Walker, defensive tackles Maurice Hurst and Shelby Harris, defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, and pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith.
General manager Andrew Berry of the Browns stated on January 22 that “I think one of the things that you realize is the NFL – the only constant is change.” As a general manager, I believe you truly go into the offseason knowing that trying to run it back isn’t really an option. Simply said, it doesn’t work given the way our sport is funded. It truly is as simple as that, in my opinion, to accept that truth before proceeding and then attempt to make the best choices possible to advance the club.
Cornerbacks Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward are committed to the Browns for the foreseeable future. Jim Schwartz, the defensive coordinator who oversaw the team’s remarkable recovery, is anticipated to return for the next campaign.
For Heavy.com, J.R. DeGroote writes about the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Browns. With prior positions at SB Nation and Bleacher Report, he has decades of expertise in digital journalism. He covered local and statewide sports as a reporter for West Hawaii Today. For his sports photography and reporting, he has received numerous state, regional, and national awards. J.R. DeGroote’s biography
