The offseason rumors are beginning to heat up around the NFL.
The Cleveland Browns have found themselves in plenty of trade and free agent rumors.
That makes sense for an organization that needs to make a big splash this offseason.
One possible option for the Browns is Detroit Lions pass rusher Trey Flowers.
He is expected to be cut by the team and become a free agent.
The Lions have informed DE Trey Flowers that he will be released on the first day of the 2022 league year next week. Flowers has been nothing but class in Detroit, a good player hit hard by injuries the past 2 seasons.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 10, 2022
The Browns are in need of pass rushing help this offseason.
Possibly, Flowers could be a fit for the Browns roster.
Leaving Detroit
It’s somewhat surprising that the Lions are ready to move on from Flowers.
They originally gave him a five-year deal worth $90 million, which clearly didn’t work out.
Flowers was solid and looked to be worth the money during his first year in Detroit.
However, he dealt with injuries each of the last two games, which limited him to 14 total games.
Heading into 2022, Flowers was set to have a cap hit of $23.2 million for the upcoming season.
After two injury riddled campaigns, the Lions have decided it’s time to move on.
The organization will save $10 million by cutting Flowers from their roster.
The Lions are officially parting ways with Trey Flowers, per @davebirkett. The move saves the Lions $10M heading into free agency. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/KGjFPrVoPn
— Barstool Detroit (@BSMotorCity) March 10, 2022
At the time, it seemed like a good deal for Detroit, but sadly the injuries piled up for Flowers.
However, Flowers has been a productive and reliable option whenever he’s actually healthy.
There should be plenty of suitors for him despite not playing a full season since 2019.
Flowers To Cleveland?
Last offseason, the Browns made a major signing in free agency.
They signed three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Jadeveon Clowney to a one-year deal.
That deal surprisingly ended up working out well for the Browns.
Clowney played well for the Browns and formed a dangerous duo alongside Myles Garrett.
However, it doesn’t sound like that duo will be back in 2022.
In fact, it appears Clowney is ready to move on after one year in Cleveland.
Report: Jadeveon Clowney unlikely to return to the Browns. pic.twitter.com/PJwvCHDWWs
— Cleveland Sports Talk (@CLEsportsTalk) March 10, 2022
That being said, the Browns will have to find another pass rusher to pair with Garrett.
Possibly, Flowers could be a replacement for Clowney this offseason.
The former fourth-round pick has 31.5 career sacks during his professional career.
Flowers is only 28 years old, so there still should be plenty left in the tank.
At the end of the day, it will all come down to how much Flowers wants in terms of a salary.
The Lions went all out and gave Flowers $56 million guaranteed back in 2019.
The #Lions are giving Trey Flowers a five-year, $90 million contract that includes $56M in guarantees, source said. $40M fully guaranteed at signing. #Patriots weren't going there. Big deal for Detroit's new big edge presence.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2019
It’s unlikely that Flowers will get anywhere near the same deal this offseason.
As mentioned before, he is coming off two injury-riddled seasons in back-to-back years.
Possibly, Flowers takes a short-term deal similar to Clowney in order to reset his value.
That way the Browns could possibly find a short-term solution at defensive end.
Obviously, the injury history is concerning, but Clowney had similar health issues and managed to stay on the field for Cleveland.
Sometimes, you need to take risks in order to get rewarded, which is the case with Flowers.
NEXT: Report: Browns Interested In Deshaun Watson
