The Cleveland Browns aren’t in the market for a splashy move at wide receiver, but they’re not shutting the door completely either.
Speaking on the “Baskin and Phelps” show on 92.3 The Fan, Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot said the Browns would at least consider pursuing a top-tier wideout — like Washington Commanders star Terry McLaurin — if the opportunity presented itself.
“When a Terry McLaurin comes along, you have to at least consider it. You have to look into it, weighing the pros and cons and how it may look over the next four years or something like that,” Cabot said. “I wouldn’t rule it out, but I don’t get the sense right now that they’re looking to add a high-priced wide receiver.”
McLaurin is in a contract standoff with the Commanders. He’s heading into a contract year and wants an extension. He has not shown up to OTAs or mandatory minicamp and is expected to hold out of training camp if a new deal is not done.
McLaurin, 29, has put together five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He caught 82 passes last year for 1,096 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns.
Browns Will Likely Wait for Wide Receiver Move
The Browns have one of the more complicated quarterback situations in the league. The team is staging a four-man competition for the starting job between 40-year-old Joe Flacco, former first-round pick Kenny Pickett, as well as rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
Cabot pointed out that this may not be the year when the Browns go out and splurge on a big-ticket wide receiver.
“The Browns will always check in on anything like that. They will always do that. But I don’t get the sense that they are clamoring for a big, high-priced wide receiver this season,” Cabot said. “If they’re going to do something like that, it’s going to be next season, when they potentially add the quarterback of the future. This year, they’re probably not going to break the bank on something like that.”
Browns Have Limited Wide Receiver Depth
Cleveland’s recent trades for big-name wide receivers have solid. Amari Cooper — who is currently a free agent — produced at an elite level while with the Browns, and Jerry Jeudy has proven to be a gem, well worth the cost of investment.
However, the team’s current wide receiver chart is lacking depth behind Jeudy. The Browns are banking on former third-round picks Cedric Tillman and David Bell stepping up. Former fifth-round pick Jamari Thrash is heading into his second year and has drawn some positive early reviews.
“He’s had a really strong spring,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said of Thrash. “He’s here all the time working on his body. Very intelligent player—he can line up in multiple positions, which I think is valuable. And he’s caught the ball well. The quarterbacks like how he gets open. He finds a way to get open against zone and man coverage.”
The wild card in the Browns’ receiving corps is former Pro Bowler Diontae Johnson, who joined the team on a veteran minimum deal with no guarantees. Johnson revealed Cleveland was the only team that reached out during free agency.
If he can bounce back after a disappointing season, Johnson could provide a much-needed boost to the Browns’ offense.
