Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Browns are trying to sign free agent RT Mitchell Schwartz contract extension before the start of free agency.
According to Cabot, the Browns have been in negotiations with Schwartz’ agent, Deryk Gilmore, and are believed to have extended him an offer. However, the two sides reportedly aren’t close to reaching a deal at this point in time.
Cabot mentions that if Schwartz is seeking a similar contract to the five-year, $56.25 million deal signed by Eagles OT Lane Johnson or at least wants to come close, it’s likely he’ll test the open market.
The Browns are believed to have offered Schwartz something close to the salaries being made by the top right tackles.
Schwartz, 26, was taken in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. After playing out his rookie contract, Schwartz is now in position to cash in as one of the best available offensive tackles in this year’s market.
In 2015, Schwartz appeared in all 16 games for the Browns and was rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 6 offensive tackle out of 77 qualifying players.
We have him featured in our Top 100 – 2016 Free Agents list.
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