The NFL’s trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET and the Browns have reportedly talked about parting ways with two integral members of their offensive line.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Browns have “engaged in discussions” about trading left tackle Joe Thomas and center Alex Mack. There’s no word on whether those discussions have reached a serious level, but dealing either would signal yet another turn toward the future for the 2-5 Browns.
Mack can opt out of his contract after this season, making him an appealing trade candidate if the Browns don’t think he’ll be in Cleveland for the long term. Rapoport adds that Mack has a no-trade clause in his contract that can be waived if the right team wants to add him to their roster.
Thomas is signed for three more years with cap numbers of $9.5 million or more each season, but none of his base salaries are guaranteed. He turns 31 in December, but his play hasn’t been in decline this season and there are plenty of teams that would see a big upgrade if they added him to their offensive line.
In addition to the two offensive linemen, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on television Sunday morning that the team is also open to trading linebacker Paul Kruger. Kruger, who has just a half-sack on the season, is signed through 2017 with base salaries of $6.5 million and $7 million in the next two years.