NFL Notes: Joe Haden, Browns, Jets, Seahawks

Joe Haden

Veteran CB Joe Haden explained that it “wasn’t too hard of a decision” to sign with the Steelers after he was recently cut loose.

“Once I was free, I wanted to have a chance to play in some meaningful games,” Haden said, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “They don’t miss the playoffs. I just wanted to be part of something, to play in playoffs. … Once I got released, there were a lot of teams who were interested. But when you talk about Pittsburgh, the interest they had, how excited they were, it wasn’t too hard of a decision.”

• Haden said the Cowboys, Dolphins, Saints and Raiders were also interested in signing him. (Gerry Dulac)

Browns

Browns GM Sashi Brown called the decision to release veteran CB Joe Haden “unquestionably the most difficult decision I’ve had to make since I’ve been in the position.”

“This is unquestionably the most difficult decision I’ve had to make since I’ve been in the position,” Brown said, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

“He’s been here so long and he means so much to the organization, and has been such a great player for a long time,” Brown said. “You have personal relationships with these guys. That’s a part of it. But these decisions are the ones that need to be made and for us I think there will be many more to come, but this for sure was the most difficult I’ve had to make.”

Jets

Jets RB Matt Forte denied the reports that the team has gauged the trade market for him in recent days.

“I know it’s not true,” Forte said, via the New York Post. “I checked with the man who makes the moves. He basically told me, ‘Don’t listen to the reports.’ ”

Seahawks

Seahawks WR Jermaine Kearse has been the subject of trade rumors (NFLTR) over the past few days. However, he says he’s hoping to remain in Seattle.

“Obviously I want to be here,” Kearse said, via the Seattle Times. “It’s really just taking it one day at a time. I really don’t know what’s happening. I haven’t talked to them.”