The Browns released veteran linebacker Karlos Dansby Wednesday in a move that was not surprising given the way the free agency period has gone for the team. Later in the day, Cleveland.com reported that the Browns will also release veteran wide receiver Dwayne Bowe.
In a parting conversation with Cleveland.com, Dansby said he knew Bowe’s release was coming and hinted what’s fairly obvious, that all of the veteran and highly paid players on the Browns roster should be aware that their phone call may be coming, too.
“I told Donte Whitner, ‘You have to be ready for anything,’” Bowe said.
The Browns added Dansby and Whitner in free agency in 2014 as part of their most recent rebuild to provide leadership in the middle of their defense. Bowe was signed to a two-year, $12 million deal last offseason and then caught just five passes and was only made active for seven games last season while making $9 million.
Bowe, 31, sat out much of training camp and never played a significant role in the offense. His signing goes down as one of the worst in recent memory.
The release of Dansby makes five 2015 Browns starters who were allowed to leave or released since the open of free agency and coincides with the signing of linebacker Demario Davis, who’s 27, to a two-year deal.
Dansby was the second oldest player on the Browns roster behind quarterback Josh McCown. Other Browns players currently 30 or older are tight end Gary Barnidge, defensive lineman Desmond Bryant, guard John Greco, wide receiver Andrew Hawkins, linebacker Paul Kruger, Whitner, punter Andy Lee, cornerback Tramon Williams and Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas.
Barnidge signed a new deal last December, and Lee will presumably have another busy season. But Dansby is probably right about the others needing to be ready for anything as the roster gets younger and cheaper. A potential trade involving Thomas would likely bring back some nice compensation for a team that seems to be prepping for a restart.
