Browns Explored Major Trade Move for Another Pass Rusher Before Deadline

Detailed summary

Cleveland explored multiple trade opportunities before the deadline, including for an edge rusher, but couldn't get a deal done.

The Cleveland Browns already have one of the best defenses in the NFL, sitting in the top half of the league in points allowed (21.8 per game) and sixth in passing yards allowed (201.0 per game).

They're also fifth in sacks with 26 through nine games, and tied for sixth in takeaways with 12. But as a 5-4 team firmly in the playoff hunt, Tuesday's trade deadline presented the perfect opportunity to add even more depth, which they were apparently pretty close to doing.

"The Browns looked for an extra edge rusher and a blocking tight end and put out several feelers, but nothing came together," wrote ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "This was the rare cycle in which Cleveland did not make a move."

More news: Cowboys Make Stunning George Pickens Revelation After Trade Deadline

More news: Steelers Nearly Pulled the Trigger on Titans Star Receiver Before Deadline

The Browns made the blockbuster move in the summer to trade away two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett in exchange for Los Angeles Rams' Pro Bowler Jared Verse and a haul of draft picks. But Verse has been relatively disappointing in his first season in Cleveland, with just 20 total tackles (10 solo), four tackles for loss, and six quarterback hits in nine games, still searching for his first sack of the year.

That's not the only reason the Browns could have used more depth off the edge, though. The team lost former third-round pick Alex Wright to a season-ending Achilles tear before the start of the regular season, and their current sack leader is defensive tackle Mason Graham with four on the season. Fourth-year player Isaiah McGuire has started at right end, opposite Verse, and has three sacks along with 24 total tackles (12 solo).

In a physical division like the AFC North, which remains up for grabs, having another reliable edge presence could have made a big difference for Cleveland, especially with the games only going to become more competitive down the final stretch of the season.

More news: Rams Had Eyes on…

Opening of the article, excerpted from Newsweek. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.