CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In this week’s edition of my Browns mailbag, I answer questions about Cam Newton, Jadeveon Clowney and more.
Hey, Mary Kay: Did the Browns really talk to Cam Newton before he signed with the Patriots? — Dylan, Chicago, Ill.
Hey, Dylan: I’ve checked into this, and I don’t have any indication that the Browns had such a conversation about Cam Newton. Furthermore, it doesn’t make sense that they would have, because they’re committed to Baker Mayfield as their franchise quarterback, and are very happy with Case Keenum as his backup. Maybe people started connecting the dots when they saw Odell Beckham Jr. catching passes from Newton at UCLA last week, but they’re friends and they both happened to be in L.A. Another reason the report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter may have surfaced is that Newton is represented by Bus Cook, who also reps Browns defensive end Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney. The Browns have been in contact with Cook because they’re trying to extend Garrett’s contract and would also like to sign Clowney as a free agent. But as far as the Browns actually talking to Newton or his reps about signing him, I don’t believe that ever happened.
Hey, Mary Kay: If Browns sign Jadeveon Clowney to long term contract, will they retain Olivier Vernon for 2020 season? The Browns will have cap space to do so for 2020 and can either trade Vernon during the season or part ways after 2020? Wouldn’t Vernon, Clowney and Myles Garrett in a rotation at end take pressure off of rest of defense where there is less depth? — David Seed, Shaker Heights, Ohio
Hey, David: If the Browns sign Clowney, I think they’ll seriously consider releasing Olivier Vernon, who’s due to make $15.25 million in base salary this year. I don’t really think it would financially prudent for them to keep both Clowney and Vernon to share the same position for more than $15 million a year each. If they sign Clowney, 27, to a multi-year deal, he can hold down that end spot for the next three or four years and help spring Garrett for more sacks and disruption. I think they’d make a great pair if the Browns go that route. If not, a healthy Vernon is also an excellent compliment to Garrett on the opposite side.
Hey, Mary Kay: Do you think the Browns will honor David Njoku’s request to be traded? — Scott B., Cleveland, Ohio
Hey, Scott: Browns GM Andrew Berry doesn’t want to trade Njoku, and therefore, he won’t just give him away. The only way he’ll trade him is if someone makes him an offer he can’t refuse. I’m sure he’d consider a first-round pick for the 2017 No. 29 overall pick, but it’s doubtful he’ll get it. Njoku was poised to take his game up a notch last season, but suffered the broken wrist in Week 2 vs. the Jets and underwent surgery. By the time he got back, he was firmly in Freddie Kitchens doghouse and was a healthy scratch in two of the final three games.
I’m sure Njoku doesn’t want to take a backseat to free agent signee Austin Hooper, and he probably knows the Browns also think highly of fourth-round tight end Harrison Bryant. But Njoku had a great opportunity to rebound this year in Kevin Stefanski’s two tight-end offense, and if he played well enough, the Browns probably would have considered a long-term extension by the end of the year. I’ve heard the Cowboys could be one team interested in him.
Hey Mary Kay: Do you think the trade suggested by Field Yates from ESPN — Browns tight end David Njoku and Cleveland’s 2021 second-round pick for Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue — is a credible trade scenario for the Browns? I know we have high expectations for Njoku, but honestly we have plenty of tight end talent on the team and I think this trade would help our defensive line since Clowney doesn’t seem interested. — Taryn Gabriel, Macon, Ga.
Hey, Taryn: I think this was just a hypothetical deal that Yates felt made sense for both teams and not something that had actually been discussed. He viewed it as a win-win because Ngakoue needs a change of scenery and the Browns are in the market for an edge-rusher. They also have an apparent surplus at tight end, but not if you consider that they’ll play two tight ends a lot and sometimes three. So this was just sort of a fantasy trade, but now that Njoku has asked to be traded, maybe teams looking to deal a disgruntled or spare player will give Berry a ring.
Hey, Mary Kay: From what you’re hearing, can you see the Browns signing one of these current free agents before the season? Everson Griffen, Jadeveon Clowney, Clay Matthews or anybody else? Thank you! Keep up the amazing work! — Jeffrey Lerner, Avon, Ohio
Hey, Jeff: Of the three players you mentioned, the only one I think the Browns are really interested in signing at this time is Clowney, whom they’ve made very competitive standing offers to. Fortunately for them, Clowney told NFL report Josina Anderson this week that he hasn’t ruled out any team and that he hopes to sign by the start of camp. The Browns’ multi-year offer to Clowney is either higher than anyone else’s or right up there, and their one-year offer is competitive. As for Everson Griffen, Kevin Stefanski knows him well from their years together in Minnesota, and if the Browns were interested in signing him, I think it would’ve happened by now. In regards to Clay Matthews III, I haven’t sensed much interest from the Browns at all.
Hey Mary Kay: What impact will it have on the start of training camp that the NFLPA wants to eliminate all four preseason games? -- Jeff, Columbus, Ohio
Hey, Jeff: I think the NFL and the NFLPA have a long way to go before they’re ready to start training camp on July 28th. I think union president JC Tretter has made it clear that the players won’t take the field until they have short- and long-term protection against Covid-19 and that the fight for player safety has just begun. I think the two sides have a lot of work to do, especially with the virus spiking in some states and quarantines becoming commonplace, and that it will be hard to pull it all together in the next three weeks or so. The NFL is still hoping to play the middle two preseason games, and the players voted not to play any, so they’re far apart on that issue alone.
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