The Browns have yet to engage in contract talks with Earl Thomas and will not be signing him, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. On Tuesday night, reports indicated that the Browns were confident in their chances of landing the Seahawks free agent, but it doesn’t sound like the safety will be joining a reloaded Cleveland roster. 
The Browns, at first glance, profiled as a logical destination for Thomas following the trade of Jabrill Peppers to the Giants in the Odell Beckham blockbuster. However, they have Damarious Randall to step into the spot filled by Peppers last season. Instead, the Browns are shopping for a strong safety, as Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com tweets.
Thomas, a talented free safety, is said to be seeking $13MM/year. At this time, it’s uncertain as to whether he’ll be able to land such a deal. There were also talks of Thomas wanting to be the highest-paid safety in the NFL, but it may be challenging for him to top Tyrann Mathieu‘s $14MM average annual salary on his new deal with the Chiefs.
The Cowboys have been connected to Thomas for the better part of a year, and there were rumblings yesterday that the Texans could make a run at the soon-to-be 30-year-old.
Peppers WAS the strong safety. If they planned to move Randall to that spot it would make the deep angel safety what they lack. That happens to be what Earl is best at.
I am a fan of Earl Thomas but he is no angel
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Come on Gutey, here’s the final piece to the defensive overhaul.
It’s kind of odd to announce that you are going to land a great safety then not even have talked to him
Randall won’t be stepping into anything. He’s the free safety.
Make it happen Colts!
Randall made 85 tackles listed as FS & weighing 196. He can also play some corner. Peppers made 79 tackles listed as SS. He also played punt returner his rookie year even if the other team was not punting. Just had to throw that in there.
Sounds like cooler heads prevailed regarding Earl Thomas.