Brown’s LB Mack Wilson hints at departure with cryptic message

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Linebacker Mack Wilson of the Cleveland Browns.

It appears that linebacker Mack Wilson and the Cleveland Browns are headed for a split.

Wilson cleared most of his social media of references to the Browns and sent out some cryptic tweets hinting at a possible departure from the team that drafted him for the fifth round of the 2019 draft.

“Hold on to the script through thick and thin. It’s time to get on my bully!” Wilson tweeted what was before a peace sign.

So does this mean “peace” for Cleveland? Considering Mack’s recent actions, it could be that he is playing in the final season and contract situation.

Wilson has had a role at Browns since the rookie year

Wilson had to fight for a roster spot during training camp, but benefited from an unfortunate situation when linebacker Jacob Phillips went down with a season-ending injury. The Browns defense has been riddled with injuries all year, giving Wilson a role, although he has been mentioned in trade rumors as of deadline. Wilson had 42 tackles in six starts and appeared in 14 games.

That’s not to say that Wilson hasn’t made his influence felt in Cleveland. He took on a starting role for most of his rookie season. He had 77 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, four tackles for loss and made seven passes.

However, his second season got off to a rocky start, with a strained knee during training camp. He played in 13 games from eight starts and recorded 39 tackles but was occasionally a healthy scrape.

Wilson has a salary of $2.54 million next season with just $77,201 dead cap. It might save the Browns some leeway by parting ways with Wilson, but it doesn’t seem like a significant amount for a linebacker who has experience in the system and has been a decent fill-in before.

Much of Wilson’s fate will depend on what the Browns believe they can do at free hand and in the draft to strengthen the position. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is heading into his sophomore year after a stellar rookie season and Phillips should also be back in full force. Sione Takitaki, Tony Fields II and Malcolm Smith are also names to keep an eye on.

Anthony Walker, the team’s lead tackler, is set to become an unrestricted free agent.

Browns vague on offseason plans

The Browns are notorious for keeping things vague, and general manager Andrew Berry did just that in this week’s draft when asked what positions the Browns are most targeting this offseason.

“We really go into every off-season with this mindset like we have an expansion team,” Berry said. “We’re really looking at every option and opportunity for players and trying to match it with our resources and costs, and really trying to be as opportunistic as possible to improve the overall talent base.”

Wilson isn’t the only Browns player who could be on the way before his contract expires. Veteran wide receiver Jarvis Landry and his stand-in are expected to meet with the Browns at the combine to discuss the future. Landry’s social media hasn’t exactly hinted at a return to Cleveland and the team is expected to ask him about a reorganization.