According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Browns are worth keeping an eye on as a potential landing spot for Steelers S Morgan Burnett if/when he’s finally released.
Fowler notes that the Browns’ front office and coaching staff both know Burnett well and former Packers defensive passing game coordinator Joe Whitt coached him directly.
With this in mind, Fowler expects there to be interest from the Browns in Burnett once he’s available.
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert confirmed last week that they are, in fact, attempting to trade Burnett, per Aditi Kinkhabwala. However, should no deal surface, Colbert says they “part ways.”
Adam Schefter previously reported that the Steelers have informed Burnett that they will release him by April 1, per his request.
Burnett requested his release from the Steelers back in January and said that he felt he played out of position as a dime linebacker last year and would like a new start and a chance to play safety again.
Burnett, 30, is a former third-round pick of the Packers back in 2010. He’s played eight seasons for the Packers before agreeing to a three-year contract worth close to $14.5 million.
According to OverTheCap.com, releasing Burnett would free up $3,633,332 of available cap space while creating $2,833,334 in dead money.
In 2018, Burnett appeared in 11 games for the Steelers and recorded 30 tackles, no interceptions and six pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 52 safety out of 93 qualifying players.
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