NFL Notes: Browns, Chiefs, Falcons & Steelers

Browns

Jason La Canfora reports that many around the league are bewildered by the Browns’ decision to trade a 2017 compensatory pick to the Patriots for LB Jamie Collins, given that he could end up being a rental for them in the end.

“They haven’t won a game and they might not win a game, with or without Collins,” one NFL general manager told La Canfora. “So I get that they can evaluate Collins in their system now, and they have the ability to franchise him … but why not just keep the pick, and just sign the player in March? Is that worth a third-round pick? Did they think someone else was going to make this trade if they didn’t?”

Multiple sources have told La Canfora that the Browns have yet to engage in serious extension talks with Collins’ agent Bus Cook. To make matters worse, the Browns lost some leverage in negotiations when they traded away a draft pick for him.

La Canfora believes the Browns may end up franchising Collins next year, which would cost them around $15 million fully guaranteed for the 2017 season.

A rival executive mentioned that the Browns are already talking internally about the possibility of them recouping a third-round compensatory pick for Collins if they can’t re-sign him next year.

“Their scouts are already talking like, ‘If we don’t re-sign him, we’ll get a supplemental third in 2018,‘” a rival exec tells La Canfora. “That tells me the owner still might not be spending any money and they might not sign any UFAs (unrestricted free agents) again. What they’re saying internally is that if we don’t re-sign him we’ll get the pick back the next year.”

• Collins told reporters that he’s a workaholic and never received an $11 million per year offer from Patriots, adding: “I’m not Von Miller. Just so you know.” (Scott Petrak)

Chiefs

• Chiefs HC Andy Reid told reporters on Wednesday that RB Jamaal Charles (I.R., knee) has been dealing with pain in both of his knees and is subsequently undergoing exploratory surgery today. (BJ Kissel)
• According to Reid, the thinking regarding Charles’ injury is a potential meniscus issue.

Falcons

• The Falcons officially ruled out RB Tevin Coleman and DE Dwight Freeney for Thursday night’s game against the Buccaneers.

Steelers

• Jason Cole of B/R, citing a source close to Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, reports that Big Ben “fully expects” to play in Week 9’s game against the Ravens.