Browns Defender Breaks Silence After Bolting for Vikings
Former Cleveland Browns cornerback AJ Green shared a message on Tuesday shortly after inking a deal with the Minnesota Vikings.
Green had an interesting ride with the Browns after joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He appeared in 34 games with a pair of starts. Green nabbed two interceptions and was also a contributor on special teams.
Green decided to sign a reserve/future deal with the Vikings but he leaves Cleveland on good terms.
“Thankful for the Last 4 Years in Cleveland I appreciate the Fans, Front Office, Coaches, and Players I established a relationship with over the years!” Green wrote on X.
Cracking the cornerback depth chart in Cleveland is no easy task. The Browns have touted probably the best trio of cover men in the league in Greg Newsome, Martin Emerson Jr. and Pro Bowler Denzel Ward. The team also drafted Cameron Mitchell in the fifth-round and he saw some time on the field.
Green will have a chance to crack the active roster in Minnesota and continue his NFL journey.
Browns Receiver Austin Watkins Left for Eagles
Getty ImagesThe Browns saw promising young receiver Austin Watkins sign with the Eagles this offseason.
Green is not the first notable name to sign with a new squad. Promising wide receiver Austin Watkins agreed to a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Watkins became a fan favorite in the preseason, leading the Browns in receiving yards during the four exhibition matchups. He was the only Cleveland player with double-digit receptions, notching 16 for 257 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Watkins was cut at the end of the preseason but added back to the practice squad. He did not appear in a game with the Browns and didn’t feel like he got a fair shake, per Noah Weiskopf of theOBR.com.
“While sources say Watkins does get along with the Browns front office, there’s also a feeling that he wasn’t given a fair shot this season to showcase his abilities, especially after having the preseason that he did,” Weiskopf wrote.
Safety Tanner McCalister also moved on, signing with the Denver Broncos. He was elevated for three games last season.
The Browns announced the signing of nine players to reserve/futures contracts on Monday, January 15. That included receiver Jaelon Darden,
cornerback Vincent Gray, running back John Kelly Jr., tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden, offensive tackle Justin Murray, defensive end Lonnie Phelps, linebacker Charlie Thomas III, defensive end Isaiah Thomas and defensive tackle Chris Williams
