This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise for anyone as free agency kicks off soon. But we finally got one of our most severe indications than one of the best post-expansion Browns might soon be leaving Cleveland.
NFL.com reported earlier Saturday afternoon that the Browns are unlikely to meet the asking price of 29-year-old Joshua Cribbs. According to a source close to the Kent State product via NFL.com’s Aditi Kinkhabwala, Cribbs’ asking price is in the range of $1.8 to 2 million a year.
As fans might recall, Cribbs reached a 3-year deal with the Browns prior in March 2010 that was worth up to $20 million, with reportedly $7-8 in guaranteed money at the time. Yet, his value and playing time have decreased from year-to-year over the duration of this contract, leading to its expiring this offseason.
It’s been no surprise that this relationship might be at its end. We did learn earlier this week, however, that the team planned to meet with Cribbs’ agent J.R. Rickert at the draft combine in Indianapolis, which began on Thursday. It is thus possible that said meeting let to today’s news of no potential meeting of contract and asking price.
Because of his past success and relatively low needs, it certainly seems likely that the former Golden Flash will find some home in the NFL for the 2013 season. We’ll keep you updated on all of the latest as we see it with him and another fan favorite, Phil Dawson, over the coming weeks.
[Related: Joe Banner and the assumed departure of Phil Dawson]
