Earlier this week, we looked at the seven exclusive rights free agents (ERFA) that the Cleveland Browns had, and which players were most likely to be retained. Today, the Browns announced that they have tendered six of those seven ERFAs:
- WR Malachi Corley
- WR Jamari Thrash
- TE Brenden Bates
- LB Winston Reid
- K Andre Szmyt
- LS Rex Sunahara
Who was left out? That would be CB Anthony Kendall, which is something we predicted. He was signed by the team last offseason, but was waived-injured near the beginning of camp. Kendall will become an unrestricted free agent.
Szmyt and Sunahara both held starting roles
on special teams last season, and were the most obvious players to be tendered. From there, Corley, Bates, and Reid all figured to have a fair shot at getting the tender, especially when you consider it is basically a minimum salary deal with no guarantees. I was a little uncertain on Thrash due to how little he was utilized on offense last year, but for now, the former Andrew Berry draft pick remains with the team.
Now, we still play the waiting game on whether the Browns will tender any of their restricted free agents, particularly when it comes to S Ronnie Hickman.
