Rookie QB Brandon Weeden faces deal delay as Cleveland Browns head to training camp – NFL News
The Cleveland Browns are reported to have made no progress on the deal matter of rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden and running back Trent Richardson as training camp’s opening looms large.
Under the National Football League (NFL) rules, all rookies have to be under contract to participate in training camp. The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins have already locked in their QBs Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III,
respectively.
According to independent reports, Weeden is yet to receive a contract from Browns. So is the case with Richardson, the overall No. 3 selection off the 2012 draft held in April.
A section of media has reported that just like the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars, the Browns are stuck with the choice of including the offset language in Richardson’s deal.
The NFL has given teams an additional protection against signing some of the players. The offset language will allow the Browns to have financial protection in case they release the player and he signs with another team in the league.
For example, if Richardson signs with another team on a $6 million a year deal, and he is due to be paid $7 million by the Browns for the same period, he will get only $1 million – the difference of the two deals.
In case the Browns do not include the offset language in the contract, they will have to pay the entire amount of $7 million to the player.
The problem, however, is that almost a majority of teams have not taken the option of the offset language on the negotiations agenda with their players.
The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins have guaranteed all four years of Luck’s and Griffin III’s deals respectively without seeking any protection under the language option.
The Miami Dolphins, on the other hand, are insisting to have additional protection in the deal with rookie QB Ryan Tannehill.
Richardson is expected to receive a $20.4 million, four-year contract. The payout will include $13.4 million in guaranteed money.
As his deal faces the hurdle of the offset language, the Browns are silent on the contract progress of rookie QB Brandon Weeden. With training camp just around the corner, there is a big question mark on the player’s ability to be locked
well in time for the camp.
Browns’ general manager Tom Heckert has reportedly said last week that the QB will be given contract well before the camp and he will be available for training and workout. The GM, however, did not specify exact date they expect the QB
to show up at the camp.
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