Is Cleveland Browns wide receiver/kicker returner Joshua Cribbs’ offseason of discontent about to be resolved?
Maybe, maybe not.
According to Tony Gross of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cribbs’ agents are about to sit down with Browns team officials.
Per the report, the Cribbs delegation intends to try to talk the Browns into restructuring Cribbs’ six-year, $6.7 million deal that has four remaining seasons and included $2 million in guaranteed money.
The Pro Bowl returner is only due to make $620,000 this season with subsequent base salaries of $635,000, $650,000 and $790,000, according to NFL Players Association records.
It’s unclear if the Browns are inclined toward addressing Cribbs’ situation at this time.
According to previous reports, Cribbs would like to use Chicago Bears all-purpose threat Devin Hester’s four-year, $40 million contract that includes $15 million in guaranteed money as a guidepost for negotiations.
Per the report, Cribbs’ attendance at offseason minicamps was triggered by “assurances” that his contract situation would be sounded out before training camp.
Cribbs’ agent, J.R. Rickert, has previously said that no progress was being made during talks.
Rickert also told the Plain Dealer earlier this offseason that he has phone records to show that Cribbs did talk with Browns owner Randy Lerner after last season.
Cribbs has been steadfast that Lerner informed him that the Browns would honor former Cleveland General Manager Phil Savage’s promise to restructure Cribbs’ existing deal.
That was denied by the Browns in a statement, though, where the team stated that “no one from the current Browns organization, including owner Randy Lerner, has ever made any promises to Josh Cribbs with regard to his contract status.”
