I know I run the risk of alienating that certain subset of SoBros Nation that also happens to be big Cleveland Browns fans by writing this. But, after seeing the way free agency unfolded for the Browns yesterday, I can’t help but ask, “what the hell, y’all?”
They made Austin Hooper the highest paid tight end in the NFL, giving him a four year contract worth $42M. Call me crazy, but I just don’t see it. Was he the best option available? Yeah. Was he worth THAT kinda money? Are we resetting the tight end market for Austin Hooper?!?! I don’t know. That just seems a bit much. I like Hooper, but is he a top five tight end in the NFL? No. Hell, I’m not even sure that he’s top 10. I hate to bash the guy, but damn. This is wild. With him, it’s been a few years of salivating over his potential, only for him to not live up to those exponential expectations. And, he had Matt Ryan at quarterback!
I get it. Markets are going to change every year, and being the highest paid at your position is largely determined by who else is available. There’s likely going to be a new “highest paid tight end” next season, too! But, this just seems like a head scratcher. Not to mention the fact that I thought we were trying to make David Njoku a thing. What happens to him?!
Maybe this is a hot take, but I think Hayden Hurst is going to do better with the Atlanta Falcons than Hooper is going to do with the Browns.
I guess if you have the money, ya gotta spend it somewhere. But, why not lock in Jack Conklin to a longer contract? That’s another signing that trips me up. I love the Browns getting Conklin. He’s going to fortify that offensive line as one of the best right tackles in the league. If Nick Chubb looks at his run blocking grades, he’s going to be chomping at the bit.
But, three years? Come on. I thought Conklin was going to get a hundred million dollar deal. Maybe that’s just me being an ass, but I legit thought (especially after seeing Miami give fucking Ereck Flowers almost a hundred mil) he’d get a six year deal worth about $100M. The Browns were like, “nope…gonna give him half of that.”
I gotta commend ’em on the Case Keenum signing, though. Three years…$18M….not too shabby, guys. Not too shabby. I would just caution people on anointing the Browns as offseason champs in 2020. Look at how that worked out for ’em in 2019.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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