Despite what they are saying publicly, the Cleveland Browns would still prefer to unload Brock Osweiler at some point this offseason. In fact, they may even pay another team to take the quarterback off their hands.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that the Browns are willing to eat $10 million of the $16 million in guaranteed money Osweiler is owed in 2017 if a team wants to trade for him.
As Browns opine about Osweiler's alleged future w/them, keep in mind they've offered to pay $10M of his salary to anyone to trade for him
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 20, 2017
The timing of the report is interesting, considering it comes just one day after Browns general manager Sashi Brown said Osweiler will be given an opportunity to compete for a starting job. Of course, Osweiler’s trade value is low enough as is, so Cleveland is trying to avoid sounding desperate.
By trading for Osweiler, the Browns essentially bought a 2018 second-round pick off of the Houston Texans for $16 million. Any money they can get knocked off of that total is a bonus, and it is highly unlikely a team is going to pay the price they are reportedly seeking in a trade. Osweiler being released during training camp is still a legitimate possibility.
