With the trade deadline four days away, a couple of teams are sniffing around the possibility of trading for Browns tackle Joe Thomas.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, two teams have been exploring the potential move. However, there is no indication that a trade will be finalized, or even that tangible trade talks will happen between now and 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
Thomas has a base salary of $8.3 million for 2017. Prorated from Week Nine through Week 17, Thomas is due to make $4.39 million over the balance of the season.
This means that whoever trades for Thomas, who is under contract through 2018, will need to have $4.39 million in cap space — or that the team will have to restructure the contract to chop down the cap number.
It’s unclear which teams are exploring a possible run at Thomas. PFT reported over the weekend that the Giants, Seahawks, Cardinals, and Vikings each have some degree of interest, with the Patriots interested only if the Browns slide into fire-sale mode and are willing to essentially give him away.
The Browns, per a source with knowledge of the situation, want a second-round pick for Thomas. Coach Hue Jackson, however, has said that Thomas won’t be traded.
Then again, Jackson isn’t the G.M. or the owner.