• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Browns Nation

Browns News. Rumors. Highlights. Now

  • Home
  • News
  • Free Agents
  • Draft
  • Podcast
  • History
  • All-Time Lists
  • Team
    • Shop
    • Schedule
  • About
You are here: Home / Daily News / What’s Next For The Browns After Releasing Christian Kirksey?

What’s Next For The Browns After Releasing Christian Kirksey?

By Kyle Daubs March 10, 2020 @DaubsKyle

Cleveland Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) enters the field prior to the first half of an NFL preseason game between the Cleveland Browns and the Tampa Bay Bucs on August 23, 2019, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.
(Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire)

 

The Cleveland Browns decided to save some money in what could be a critical off-season for the franchise. 

According to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, the Browns parted ways with linebacker Christian Kirksey after failing to restructure his deal. 

#Browns announce they’ve released LB Christian Kirksey

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 10, 2020

Christian Kirksey, 27, was due to make $8.75 million in 2020 and $9.25 million in 2021.

The Browns are reportedly also letting linebacker Joe Schobert walk in free agency. 

Schobert led the team in tackles and finished as a Pro Bowl selection. 

Kirksey compiled 484 tackles, 11.5 sacks, two interceptions, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in his Browns’ career from 2017 to 2019, while also serving as a captain. 

With two major holes on defense, the Browns have two possible directions. 

 

1. Olivier Vernon Remains In Cleveland

 

Vernon is 29-years old and due $15.25 million in the second year of his deal with the Browns; however, none of it is guaranteed.

Vernon missed the second half of last season with a knee injury.

With that being said, Vernon was paid a high salary for 3.5 sacks in 10 games.

As of now, he is the highest-paid player on the team.

According to Cabot, if Vernon wants to stay, he would have to accept a pay cut.

However, despite freeing up some extra money, the Browns have a greater need on defense. 

When Vernon was traded from the Giants, he was coming off his first career Pro Bowl appearance.

Again, his numbers prove that, when healthy, he can be a force on the defensive end.

Looking at his final year with the Giants, Vernon had 21 QB hits.

That’s more than twice any other player and he missed 5 games. 

The Browns could be selling Vernon’s stock too quickly if they let him go.  

New #Browns EDGE Olivier Vernon had his best ever grade last year with the Giants. https://t.co/WbdKIixIC8

— PFF CLE Browns (@PFF_Browns) March 8, 2019

;

Reports initially claimed that the Browns were going to release Vernon. 

We don’t know what the conversations Berry and Vernon are having behind closed doors. 

With Schobert and Kirksey gone, the Browns need some production on the defense. 

If Healthy, Vernon can be formidable, but the overshadowing question is for how much?

 

2. Browns Trade Up For Isaiah Simmons

 

Berry has already told us that he is “flexible” about trading up or down in the draft.

The Browns are about to be without two professional linebackers. 

You don’t think the Browns have their eyes on Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons just a little bit?

The Browns have the No. 10 overall pick in the first round; however, Simmons is off the board in many mock drafts.

If the Browns wanted to trade up, Simmons is everything a defensive coordinator wants in their scheme.

At the combine, Simmons ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 at 238 pounds.

His workouts at the NFL Combine were so great that ESPN analyst Louis Riddick proclaimed Simmons is a top-4 pick.

Isaiah Simmons should not go no lower than 4th overall. Just sayin 🤔😳

— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) March 1, 2020

When you look at his overall makeup, there is no argument to Riddick. 

With Schobert and Kirksey out, Simmons would immediately start on defense for the Browns. 

Isaiah Simmons
2020 #NFLCombine

• Taller than DK Metcalf

• Heavier than Roquan Smith

• Faster than Devin Hester

• Jumps higher than Julio Jones

• More explosive than Alvin Kamara@ClemsonFB @isaiahsimmons25 pic.twitter.com/NeotE79Ivg

— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) March 1, 2020

If the Browns traded up for Simmons, that would allow the Browns to look into free agency. 

The Browns are in need of a left tackle, so that would negate any need to look in the draft. 

All in all, Kirksey is one of many dominoes that are about to fall. 

Let’s see where the rest land.   

Recent News

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) returns a punt during the third quarter of the National Football League game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on September 20, 2018, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland defeated New York 21-17.
WR Jarvis Landry Raises Questions With Cryptic Post
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Josh Gordon (10) during the NFL game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams on December 08, 2019, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA.
Josh Gordon Wants To Reunite With Johnny Manziel In FCF League
Clemson Tigers Running Back Travis Etienne (9) dives for the end zone and is tackled short of the goal line by Syracuse Orange Defensive Back Andre Cisco (7) during the first quarter of the game between the Clemson Tigers and the Syracuse Orange on September 14, 2019, at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY.
PFF Projects Browns To Draft Safety Andre Cisco In Round 2

Filed Under: Daily NewsTagged With: christian kirksey, Cleveland Browns

About Kyle Daubs

Kyle Daubs is a freelance journalist and writer. He is also a special education teacher at Peoria Central High School, as well as a cross country and track coach. While completing his teaching degree, Kyle wrote for numerous newspapers, covering high school and college sports. Kyle later became a published author, writing the Charleston High School Records Book. Kyle is a native of Charleston, Illinois, where he attended Eastern Illinois University. Kyle recently completed his master's degree in special education. In sports, Kyle has spent the last couple of years covering the NFL, specifically the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Primary Sidebar

Search Browns Nation

Trending News

Footer

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

 

Join Our Newsletter

Contact Us

 

Follow us

Copyright © 2021 · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - Brownsnation.com

Copyright © 2020 · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BrownsNation.com is not affiliated with the Cleveland Browns or the National Football League