Report: Cleveland Browns grant veteran wideout permission to seek a trade

The Cleveland Browns acquired veteran wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday afternoon. Less than an hour after news broke of the Cooper trade, the Browns have reportedly given veteran wideout Jarvis Landry permission to seek a trade.

“On the same day they agreed to trade for WR Amari Cooper, the Browns also have granted permission to veteran WR Jarvis Landry to see a trade, per sources,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted.

Landry first entered the NFL when he was selected 63rd overall in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins out of LSU. He spent the first four years of his career in Miami, playing in 64 games and totaling 400 receptions, 4,038 receiving yards, and 22 touchdowns to go along with a rushing touchdown.

The Dolphins traded Landry to the Browns in March of 2018, and he has spent the past four years in Cleveland. With the Browns, Landry has totaled 288 receptions for 3,560 yards and 15 touchdowns in 59 games. This past season was Landry’s worst of his NFL career. He played in just 12 games, bringing in 52 receptions for 570 yards and two touchdowns, all of which were career lows.

In April of 2018, the Browns signed Landry to a five-year, $75.5 million contract extension. With Cooper, and his full contract, now on the books, the Browns could be looking to shed Landry’s salary.

Landry still led a disappointing Browns receiving room last season

Even though Landry had the worst statistical season of his NFL career this past season, he still ranked at the top of the Browns receiving leaders. Landry led the team with 52 receptions, and ranked second with 570 receiving yards, trailing just Donovan Peoples-Jones, who had 597.

Amari Cooper’s salary becomes fully guaranteed on March 20. He is set to earn $20 million this upcoming season. The Browns didn’t have to give up much to bring in Cooper, giving up just a fifth round pick and a sixth round pick for Cooper and a sixth round pick.

Last season, Cooper totaled 68 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns. With him now in Cleveland, the Browns might simply view Landry as expendable. It is looking more likely that Landry is playing for his third NFL team next season.