Before Vinny Curry reached an agreement to sign with the Eagles, he received a better offer from the Browns, Geoff Mosher of InsidetheBirds.com tweets. Curry wanted to stay in Philadelphia, per Mosher, but one-year Eagles exec Andrew Berry — now the Browns GM — made a push to bring the veteran defensive lineman to Cleveland. This does not mark the first time the Browns have submitted what was believed to be the best multiyear offer for a defensive lineman only to wind up not signing him this offseason. They represented Jadeveon Clowney‘s best offer, but the former No. 1 overall pick did not go for it and remains a free agent. The Browns redid Olivier Vernon‘s deal, seemingly taking them out of the Clowney sweepstakes, but still appear to be in the market for D-line help. Cleveland did add Adrian Clayborn earlier this offseason, and he stands to be the top backup to Vernon and Myles Garrett.
Here is the latest from the North divisions, shifting first to a more famous Browns cog:
- Odell Beckham Jr. made some comments recently that indicated he would not be especially upset if the 2020 season did not happen. “I just feel like the season shouldn’t happen,” Beckham said during an interview with the Wall Street Journal, “and I’m prepared for it to not happen and I wouldn’t mind not having it.” These comments, however, came before the NFL finalized its safety protocols. Beckham did not opt out and is set for his second season with the Browns. After skipping most of the Browns’ voluntary activities last year, Beckham has been engaged in the process this year, Berry said, via the AP’s Tom Withers.
- The pre-Lamar Jackson Ravens routinely rostered two quarterbacks, but they again plan to carry three this year, John Harbaugh said. The Ravens have Robert Griffin III signed up for a third season in Baltimore, while Trace McSorley enters his second NFL season. Harbaugh indicated the team kept three passers last year because it did not believe McSorely would pass through waivers to the Ravens’ practice squad.
- Two-plus months after the last Taylor Decker contract update, the Lions are not believed to have discussed an extension with the fifth-year left tackle. They have prioritized a Kenny Golladay re-up over Decker’s, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press notes. Decker indicated this week the Lions have not made him an offer yet. A new Decker deal would likely cost the Lions north of $16MM annually. Both players are going into contract years. Decker making it through his fifth season without a new deal would make him a franchise tag candidate, though tags will not be as easy to apply next year if the cap plummets as expected.
- The Packers announced they will not have fans at their first two home games. However, the team will re-evaluate the situation after those two September dates.
I’m not sure why Harbaugh is so insistent on retaining McSorely. As a Penn State fan, I can confidently assert his ceiling is Taysom Hill. The kid is undoubtedly fun to watch, but he lacks the touch and accuracy needed to remain in the NFL.
Detroit had better retain Decker if they intend to keep Stafford upright. He’s one of the league’s most underrated pass protectors and the team is already deficient at guard. I’m not sure about the Lion’s financial situation, but they’ll suffer immensely if forced to part ways with either Kenny or Taylor
That’s precisely why they want McSorley. They have a QB who has incredible ability running the ball. Their playbook is built around that. RGIII is not an option with much potential, but he has experience. McSorley, and even Jackson, do not. So they feel that they need someone who can be a stabilizing presence to be there.
That said, RGIII would not be my first choice, and he looked considerably worse than Jackson in relief. But going into the season with two years’ combined experience in your QB room is suspect, so Griffin was retained. I don’t think that they will retain him after this year-having McSorley gives them a comparable backup to Jackson skillset-wise and a gadget player (aka Taysom Hill, as you pointed out) in the meantime. Of course, there is also the high injury risk associated with running QBs (adding to that Griffin’s personal injury history) that makes having an extra more acceptable. The Saints gave kept three QBs as well, and they’re the ones who utilized Taysom Hill in the way we expect Baltimore to utilize McSorley.
I do agree on your feeling of McSorley’s prototype as a player, though. He is similar, but obviously a good deal younger.