May 18, 2013

Browns Still Trying to Avoid Guaranteed 4th Year with Weeden

July 24, 2012 by 27 Comments

The Browns got Trent Richardson signed last night and it was a cakewalk compared to the process with Brandon Weeden. Because Richardson was picked as high in the draft as he was, there really wasn’t much choice but to guarantee all four years of his contract. Brandon Weeden on the other hand is 28 years old and was picked 22nd overall. The fourth year isn’t quite as much of a foregone conclusion.

Lane Adkins of The OBR is reporting that the Browns are trying to be creative with the bonus structure so as not to guarantee the fourth year.

These roster bonuses usually have timing in favor of the player so that the team is put to a decision with enough time for the player to find a new home should they be cut. For example, if there’s a March 1st roster bonus due, that means Brandon Weeden would be cut loose before the draft and early enough in the off-season to increase his likelihood of finding another job.

Presuming all that comes to pass and the Browns cut Weeden before his fourth year, he’ll likely be looking for a backup QB gig, which Seneca Wallace has proven can still be lucrative. He got $9 million over three years from the Browns.

We’ll see if Weeden’s reps go for the roster bonus or whether they’ll hold out for the fully guaranteed fourth year.

[Related: Browns and Trent Richardson Reportedly Agree on Deal]

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  • http://twitter.com/oribiasi oribiasi

    Lordy just sign the kid. Rookies report tomorrow. (Right?)

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Craig Lyndall

    I think they report today and actually step on the field for the first time tomorrow.

  • Garry_Owen

    “Kid.” Ha! That’s funny.

  • http://twitter.com/oribiasi oribiasi

    So what do they do today? Go over playbooks, etc.? I know the first full-pad drills aren’t for a few days, right?

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    Richardson got his four year deal!

  • Natedawg86

    Colt is telling him to push for a fourth guaranteed year

  • architrance

    Just great, draft your “quarterback of the future” and then go out of your way to say “well, maybe we won’t want him in the future…”

  • http://twitter.com/oribiasi oribiasi

    Ha, good point. Although, he is a kid to me (ah I’m old…)

  • Garry_Owen

    Well, to me, too. Oh to be 28 (or even 29) again . . .

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Craig Lyndall

    Payroll paperwork. Voided checks for direct deposit. Choosing a benefits plan. (I made all this up.)

  • http://patrick.veverka.net/ Patrick Veverka

    Get the 401k, Brandon!

  • maxfnmloans

    the agent will opt for the roster bonus. Weeden will play well enough to beat out Colt, but not well enough to make that roster bonus a no brainer in 2 years. The team wont break .500, H&H will be on to their next gig, and the new regime won’t renew Weeden, opting instead to draft a rookie who is “their guy”, even though their pick is in the teens (they will try to trade up but wont be able to), then they will bring in an aging veteran to hold down the fort for a year, while they bottom out again to get to the top of the raft, but then there wont be a franchise type guy available, so they will pick BPA, and then take another undersized but successful college QB with moxie in the third round, thinking maybe he can learn behind the vet…sound like fun to anyone? All because they won’t guarantee another 2 million (roughly half of what we are paying Mangini this year to NOT coach?)

    it’s a matter of 2 million bucks. Mike Holmgren sprinkles 2 million worth of diamonds on his ostrich eggs in the morning so his doody sparkles. GET IT DONE

  • JK

    Charlie Frye?

  • Tron

    Anyone know the details of year 4? I saw somewhere that he’s slotted for a 4 year 8 million dollar contract. If about half of that is a signing bonus, what’s the base salary? A million per year? This is ridiculous to not just get this done.

  • http://twitter.com/oribiasi oribiasi

    You might be right, actually, who knows? They are still employees of a company.

  • Natedawg86

    Not even close dude…plus he was a 3rd rd pick

  • Kyle

    I am NOT a Weeden fan in the least so I’ve got a harsh view but…

    We are likely the only team that was going to take Weeden before middle of the 2nd. The guy is 29 years old. I would say, here is the contract we are offering you, you have NO leverage in requesting a guaranteed 4th year. It’s cute that you do, but sign the f’n contract we put in front of you and get your ass to camp.

    Otherwise, we’ll roll with Colt and you can enjoy being a bench warmer for 2 years and working medical sales (not trying to offend anyone out there! I’m a salesman myself) for the rest of your life, which will suit you well because you’re going to need a hip replacement soon at your age.

  • Natedawg86

    Concussion video, Gatorade issue, Madden tournaments…

  • steve-o

    There is no advantage for the Browns to guarantee the fourth year. That would only come into play if Weeden turns out to be a total bust or is catastrophically injured. If he’s at all decent, he will be holding out for a new contract in that fourth year, roster bonus or not. Also by retaining Colt, who could start if Weeden misses camp, the Browns have some leverage to get a favorable deal. They had no such leverage with Trich.

  • The_Matt_Of_Akron

    Yes Richardson got his 4 years, but he got less than Craig predicted last week based on average 1% increases ($20.4M instead of $20.6M).

    So I guess both sides win?!

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    I could care less if he got $200M a year he’s signed all that matters. I can’t believe how infested the fandom has become in this town everything revolves around what a player makes now. But I guess that’s what happens when you’ve had it melted in your consciousness year after year as an excuse for failures.

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    How not to videos…how not to bench press, how not to contract a staff infection…

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    I’m enjoying the irony of these contract talks I mean isn’t this the same guy Heckert and Shurmur were orgasming over the night he was drafted saying how he was drafted to be a starter blah blah blah blah? It’s just amazes me how these Cleveland teams are so bi-polar and unable to stay on message, any message. And they wonder why people don’t go to their games or even worse why players don’t want to come to their organizations unless they are forced to via drafting.

  • Natedawg86

    how not to run a race without shoes on, how not to ride on a motorcycle…

  • Bryan

    MKC and Shefter reporting Weeden deal done. Smokin’ Weeden baby.

  • okiebug

    Kyle, Kyle I watche Weeds play for Oklahom State and the kid can play. Colt has what 6 wins as a pro. Weeds will win at least that in his first year. His body has not taken a pounding so he wil be good for at least 8 years. He isa bette QB than Colt

  • The_Matt_Of_Akron

    I could care less if he got 20 years! He’s signed is all that matters. I can’t believe how infested the fandom has become in this town. Everything revolves around how long a player’s contract is. But I guess that’s what happens ….

    Relax. I was merely providing the counterpoint to your “Richardson got his!” with the equivalent “Browns got theirs too!” so both sides could be winners.