Browns $60 Million Star Sends Message Amid Benching Rumors
Jack Conklin has had a rough run of injuries but the Cleveland Browns veteran right tackle is ready to return.
Conklin took to social media with a rare message that gave insight into his situation. He also channeled his teammate, Nick Chubb, who is also returning from a season-ending knee injury.
“Nothing is easy after an injury especially multiple,” Conklin wrote. “I could never have made it thru with out my wife [Caitlyn Conklin] she is my rock. I talked to [Nick Chubb] and there may be one dark knight but the first person to rise from the pit was bane! #Imback.
Conklin sustained a torn ACL and MCL in Week 1 last season, knocking him out for the year. He was limited to just seven games in 2021 after rupturing his right patellar tendon.
Conklin signed a four-year extension with the Browns at the end of the 2022 season, linking him to Cleveland through 2026. He’ll be 32 when the contract ends.
Browns Have Decision to Make With Jack Conklin
The Browns have a good problem at the tackle position with three starting-caliber players. Former first-round pick Jedrick Wills, second-year big man Dawand Jones and Conklin will compete for the starting spots. All three went down with season-ending injuries last season.
Wills, heading into a contract year, is pretty locked in at left tackle. Although his consistency has left something to be desired, the Browns have praised Wills for his growth.
“As you go back and watch a lot of the tape over and over, he’s doing a nice job in the run game and the pass game. He’s winning his one-on-one matchups,” Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters in March, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. “Never perfect because it’s hard to be perfect as a left tackle in this game. But he played well. I really think if he stays healthy, the trajectory continues to ascend.”
Jones filled in for Conklin after his injury and made a strong case to be the permenant starter. There’s a chance that Conklin could lose his starting spot to Jones when the season opens.
