The Cleveland Browns are cutting veteran wide receiver Jarvis Landry at his request after previously granting permission to him to try to find a trading partner, according to league sources not allowed to speak publicly. Restructure efforts were ultimately not able to be worked out ahead of NFL free agency opening on Wednesday.
Cleveland Browns had allowed Jarvis Landry to seek trade
The Browns acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Dallas Cowboys earlier this week. Soon after, the Browns granted permission for Landry and his agent to seek a trade.
Landry and the Browns have attempted to reach a compromise on a restructured contract, but that didn’t result in a deal, per sources. He was due a $14.3 million base salary and would count for nearly $16.4 million on Cleveland’s salary cap in 2022, the final year of his contract. If the Browns release Landry, they will clear almost $15 million in cap space.
The veteran receiver could draw interest from the Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, and other NFL teams.
Landry dealt with injuries last season
Landry spent a month on the injured reserve with a knee injury in 2021. In 12 games, the 29-year-old posted 52 receptions for 570 yards and 2 touchdowns, all career-lows.
“Reality behind all this is I came back to play in the best shape of my life, I got hurt Week 2 with a high-grade MCL sprain, partial quad tear, and bone bruise. Then came back way too early and ended up staying hurt the entire season,” Landry wrote on social media recently.
“You never heard me mention anything about it. Also, my media availability didn’t happen because I was focused on getting on the field as healthy as possible during the week and after games. … A strategic plan was set in place to be followed.
“I put the ball in CLE court by telling them I would like to stay, but if not, then I’m confident enough in myself to be a better healthy me this year and moving forward to helping do my part in winning a championship elsewhere.”