Browns Reportedly Expected to Release Veteran DE Olivier Vernon
After just wrapping up his first season with the Cleveland Browns, it's looking like veteran defensive end Olivier Vernon will be looking for a new place to call home once the 2020 campaign rolls around.
According to Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot, the team is likely to move on from the defensive lineman instead of paying him the $15.25 million he's owed in 2020.
Browns likely to release DE Olivier Vernon https://t.co/xpdFUHMymk
— Rotoworld Football (@Rotoworld_FB) February 24, 2020
Cabot notes that the team could request that Vernon accept a pay cut, but the chances he'd agree to such a thing are modest at best.
Vernon arrived to the Browns last year after the Giants traded the 6-foot-2, 262-pounder and a fourth-round pick for offensive guard Kevin Zeitler and a fifth-rounder.
In 10 games (all starts) with the Browns last campaign, Vernon posted 26 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble. For his career, he's recorded 353 tackles and 54.5 sacks while with the Browns, Giants and Dolphins.
The #Browns will not pay the veteran defensive end his 2020 salary ($15.25MM), pointing to a pay cut or departure for the 2019 trade acquisition https://t.co/j9nfzCWIEh
— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) February 24, 2020
With Vernon's 2020 salary being as high as it is, it's easy to see why the Cleveland front office would be looking to get him off the books.
At just 29 years old, however, it won't be long before a new team snatches up the aggressive pass rusher as soon as he's officially available.