The Browns put a transition tag on center Alex Mack on Monday, leaving safety T.J. Ward unfettered with the start of free agency looming in a week.
Ward’s agent Josh Arnold gave an update on the status of talks with the team to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal and it doesn’t sound like anyone should be expecting a deal in the next couple of days.
“After receiving numerous requests from local and national media outlets, fans, and several others connected to the Cleveland community we felt it necessary to provide a statement with respect to T.J.'s current contract situation. Detailed contract discussions with multiple front office executives of the Browns began last month at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Since then several conversations have occurred in an attempt to secure a new deal for T.J., but we’ve yet to agree on terms that work for both sides.”
Arnold added that he and Ward “remain open” to further conversations with the Browns, but it looks like Ward is going to get a chance to shop his wares to the rest of the league. There’s been talk that the Browns are interested in safety Jairus Byrd, who played for Browns coach Mike Pettine in Buffalo last season.