Yesterday started nice and quiet, then Browns WR Jarvis Landry tweeted and turned everyone in the media and on Browns twitter into mind readers. The tweets were preceded by a cryptic, passive aggressive Instagram post. Immediately it was believed Landry and the Browns have discussed his contract and he’s gone. Not so fast. Let’s review. First, Landry’s tweets:
“1/2 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 to early and ended up staying hurt the entire season. You never heard me mention anything about it”
“2/3 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”
“3/3 I have 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.”
At first, I thought the same thing. The Browns have offered Landry a restructured deal and he thought it wasn’t enough and he’s gone. About 30 minutes after Landry’s last tweet, I noticed this tweet from Brad Stainbrook (@BrownsByBrad) who is an insider for @TheOBR:
“Source: #Browns and Klutch Sports Group, the agency they represents WR Jarvis Landry, will meet at the NFL combine in Indianapolis next week.”
So, Landry implies he’s gone, and the Browns haven’t discussed his contract with his agents yet? What the heck is going on? Sounds like someone is tired of hearing the narrative that he’s not worth the money. Landry and the last year of his contract have been discussed since last year’s pre-season, $16.3 million is too much to pay for Landry. As a player, I love Jarvis, however if the Browns can save $14.8 million by cutting him and use that money for Clowney or Ward or Njoku or another free agent, then do it. I know this may shock people, but the NFL is a business. I would love to see the Browns bring him back at the right price and that price hasn’t even been discussed yet. If Landry truly wants to stay in Cleveland like he says, then why not wait until the offer is made?
This whole situation paints the Browns organization in a bad light unfairly. Now the national talking heads are creating the narrative that no wide receiver wants to play for the Browns. What a load of garbage. Landry is trying to shape public opinion that the Browns don’t want him, similar to what Al Michaels & Cris Collingsworth tried to do during the Super Bowl with OBJ. Hey Jarvis don’t tell us the team doesn’t want you when the Browns haven’t even talked to you about staying. If you don’t want to be in Cleveland, then say so.
Finally, next week the NFL combine starts and I’m sure there’ll be plenty of rumors flying around. Remember don’t believe everything you read on twitter and chose who you follow carefully. Next week is when the real tampering period begins. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.