Browns Have Discussed Trading LT Joe Thomas & C Alex Mack

Update:

Browns LT Joe Thomas told reporters after Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals that he wants to be back with the team, rather than be traded ahead of the upcoming deadline.

“I’m not a quitter,” Thomas said after Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “I’m not a guy that gives up on my goals and my goal from day one was to be part of the turnaround here and that hasn’t changed. . . .

“The reality of it is we’re right now a 2-6 team and the trade deadline is coming up. If you’re a team that doesn’t have a winning record I imagine it happens all the time where teams will call up your team and find out if you’re available for a trade. It’s happened in the past with me in my career. But it’s out of my control. I want to be here. I want to finish my career here. I want to be part of the turnaround here. That’s the way it is sometimes, you’ve got to control the things you can control.”

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Browns have engaged in discussions about potentially trading LT Joe Thomas and C Alex Mack.

• Rapoport mentions that Thomas and Mack as the Browns most valuable assets at this point in time, so they at least have to consider moving them in return for future assets to build out their roster.

This is the first we’ve seen regarding the Browns trading either player. You would have to think that a number of teams would at least check in with the Browns to see what they’re looking for in return for either player.

For what it’s worth, the Patriots have been mentioned as a team who could have interest in offensive line help ahead of next week’s trade deadline.

Thomas, 30, has been a Hall-of-Fame caliber offensive tackle since the Browns drafted him. He still has another four years remaining on his eight-year, $92 million contract that included $44 million guaranteed.

Thomas stands to make base salaries of $8.8 million (2015), $8.3 million (2016), and $8.8 million (2017-2018)

This season, Thomas has appeared in all seven games for the Browns and is currently rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 1 offensive tackle out of 78 qualifying players.

Mack, 29, is technically in the second year of his five-year, $42 million contract that included $26 million guaranteed. However, the contract gives him the ability to opt out next year, so you can see why they could field offers for him.

He’ll make a base salary of $8 million (2015), $8 million (2016), and $8 million (2017-18) over the remainder of the agreement. It’s worth mentioning that Mack has a no-trade clause, which means he would likely only waive it to play for a contender.

This year, Mack has also appeared in all seven games and is rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 13 center out of 35 qualifying players.