Cleveland to cut ties with QB Osweiler
Brock Osweiler’s days with the Browns were numbered when the quarterback arrived in a trade. They’re now over.
Osweiler is being released by Cleveland, which will have to pay his $16 million guaranteed contract not to have him on their roster, a source told The Associated Press yesterday.
Osweiler will be officially cut today along with veteran guard John Greco, kicker Cody Parkey and defensive lineman Xavier Cooper when the team trims its roster to 53, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team is still finalizing its roster decisions.
The 26-year-old Osweiler was acquired by the Browns on March 9 from Houston for a 2018 second-round draft pick. The team did not have any long-term plans for Osweiler, who went 8-6 as a starter for the Texans last season. However, because of his large contract, the Browns were unable to unload Osweiler and he competed for their starting job this summer.
Osweiler was beaten out by rookie DeShone Kizer, who will be the 27th starting quarterback for Cleveland since 1999 when the team opens against Pittsburgh on Sept. 10.
With Osweiler leaving, it appears the Browns will also keep quarterbacks Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan behind Kizer.
Seattle swapping
The Seattle Seahawks acquired defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson from the New York Jets in exchange for wide receiver Jermaine Kearse and a 2018 second-round draft pick, bolstering a defense that was already considered among the best in the NFL.
The clubs will also swap seventh-round picks in 2018 as part of the deal.
Landing Richardson solidifies the interior of Seattle’s defensive line and quells some of the concerns raised by the uncertainty surrounding rookie second-round draft pick Malik McDowell, who was injured in a July ATV accident. Richardson has spent his entire career with the Jets after being picked in the first round in 2013 and he was a Pro Bowl selection after the 2014 season, when he recorded a career-high eight sacks.
Kearse signed a $13.5 million, three-year deal with the Seahawks before the 2016 season but became expendable because of Seattle’s depth at wide receiver. He’ll become a primary target with a Jets team in desperate need of experienced pass receiving options.
The Jets lost No.1 wide receiver Quincy Enunwa for the season due to a neck injury early in training camp.
Last night, the Seahawks reportedly traded cornerback Tramaine Brock to the Vikings for a seventh-round pick, giving Minnesota an experienced option for its secondary just before the start of the regular season.
Steelers duo returns
The NFL granted Martavis Bryant permission to play when the Steelers travel to Cleveland on Sept.10, nearly 18 months after he was suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
Bryant was conditionally reinstated in April, though his return hit a snag at the start of training camp when he was forced to sit for the first two weeks of practice due to procedural issues. Bryant caught seven passes for 43 yards during the preseason and is expected to start opposite Antonio Brown for the defending AFC North champions.
Also, running back Le’Veon Bell returned to the team and passed a physical after skipping all of the preseason. He is expected to sign his franchise tender of $12.1 million before the team returns to practice on Monday . . . .
The Tennessee Titans acquired defensive end David King from the Kansas City Chiefs for a conditional seventh-round draft pick. The 6-foot-4, 281-pound King has played 10 career NFL games with four starts in stints with Seattle and Kansas City, and he has 1.5 career sacks . . . .
Detroit removed defensive end Ziggy Ansah and tackle Corey Robinson from the physically unable to perform list. The Lions also released running back Matt Asiata . .. .
The San Francisco 49ers released quarterback Matt Barkley, clearing the way for rookie C.J. Beathard to open the season as the backup to Brian Hoyer.