CLEVELAND, Ohio – If David Njoku wants to leave Cleveland, the Browns may have the perfect solution.
Vikings’ tight end Kyle Rudolph, who spent nine seasons with Kevin Stefanski in Minnesota, was released on Tuesday after 10 seasons at the club, but wants to continue playing for years, a source told cleveland.com.
In addition, he would love to play for Stefanski, who was close to Minnesota, the source said.
With Stefanski calling moves in Minnesota in 2019, Rudolph picked up 39 passes for 367 yards and six TDs. Twice as a Bowler, he was expected to win $ 7.65 million in 2021, with a $ 250,000 per game bonus and a $ 100,000 training bonus. But the Browns may be able to hire him for less, considering he will turn 32 in November.
By releasing Rudolph, the Vikings saved about $ 5.03 million in the salary cap, while suffering $ 4.35 million. Rudolph (1.80 m, 265 pounds) has always been known for his excellent hands and size, but he has improved considerably as a blocker in recent years.
He already knows the attack as well or better than anyone at Browns, so the transition would be perfect. In fact, he would be a great help to the other tightest players, like Harrison Bryant and other young players in the attack.
Njoku, however, continued to speak as a player who does not want to be with the Browns in 2021. Entering his fifth year of option for $ 6.013 million, his salary is not guaranteed until the first day of the league’s March 17 year. Therefore, the Browns can free it without dead space or trade it.
Njoku refuses to say if he wants to stay with the Browns
They always said they didn’t want to trade him, but if he isn’t all in and they can improve the team by letting him go, they can consider it.
During his Zoom conference on Tuesday, Stefanski said he was unaware that Njoku still wanted to leave. Last season, he wanted to be traded before the season and again before the negotiation deadline.
“David is someone I respect and value, the production he gave us on the pitch and the teammate he is,” said Stefanski on Tuesday. “As regards him in particular, I am not aware of that. I know I have had a lot of conversations with a lot of players over the season and over many seasons, so I will continue to have this dialogue with all of our guys to see where they are, but I am not sure of anything in particular with David. “
Njoku played well in the final stretch, including the loss of the AFC division to the Chiefs and the Browns still like him very much. But he wants to be a tight end in the spotlight here, and that’s not going to happen with Austin Hooper on the squad.
If he disagrees with the program, the Browns should seriously consider letting him go and signing with Rudolph.
Stefanski declined to comment on JJ Watt
Stefanski declined to comment on JJ Watt’s signing with the Cardinals as a free agent, preferring to let GM Andrew Berry answer that on Wednesday, when he addresses the media at 3:30 pm.
“Andrew and his team work hard as they walk in this building every day to find ways to improve our team,” said Stefanski. “Whether it’s draft, free agency or commerce, that’s something they work hard on.”
The Browns were one of several teams interested in Watt, but they offered him no more than the Cardinals, as one report stated.
Chief of Staff Callie Brownson will also assist with running backs in 2021
Brownson, who worked with the Browns’ administrators in 2020 under Chad O’Shea, will be running backs this season, working with Stump Mitchell. Brownson held the coaching position twice last season, once as a tight end coach while Drew Petzing’s wife had a baby, and once as a receiver coach when O’Shea tested positive for COVID-19.
“Callie in Year 2 – I can speak from experience – that work (Chief of Staff) in Year 2 will be easier than in Year 1, so she will have some free time to work with Stump and his running backs. field. “
From now on, Brownson will not have the additional title of assistant running back trainer.
Stefanski will do joint practices if he can
Stefanski was set to conduct joint training with the Packers last season, before the preseason game, but COVID-19 thwarted those plans. If he gets the green light for this preseason, he will try to set something up.
“I think there is value in that, if we can do that,” he said.
Odell Beckham Jr. is coming
Stefanski said the recipient is “doing great” in his recovery from a tear in the ACL he suffered on October 25.
“As you can imagine, he is attacking this thing, so I know he is doing really well,” said Stefanski. “No update to say where he is in rehab, but he is doing very well.”
He believes Beckham is about to make a big leap in his second year in the system.
“Yes, I do,” he said. “Again, as you can imagine, he is very, very committed to getting back to 100%. He’s well on his way to rehab. Excited about his future. “
Grant Delpit and Greedy Williams making progress
Stefanski said that Delpit and Williams are progressing from their injuries, Delpit an Achilles tendon rupture and Williams’ nerve injuries to his shoulder.
“I can speak specifically to Grant, ” said Stefanski. “I saw him there today. He looks great. He is coming. I saw Greedy today. Once again, we’ll have more updates as we go, and then, as we talked to Odell, I know he’s feeling great, but I don’t have a specific schedule or anything like that. “
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