Cleveland Browns: Stop Trying to Trade Joe Thomas

Despite significant free agent losses, the best path forward for the Cleveland Browns does not involve trading their best and most reliable player in Joe Thomas.

The idea of trading Joe Thomas is no longer limited to the illogical rantings of Tony Grossi (who has been floating this idea for the better part of 4 years). Now, fans and media have gathered around the idea that the Cleveland Browns should trade the future Hall of Famer to “blow up the team” because they lost Mitchell Schwartz and Alex Mack in free agency.

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To properly explain how ludicrous an idea this is will require a look at it from a number of different angles from Thomas himself to the devastating impact it would have on the team, especially as they now attempt to build a roster to Hue Jackson’s likings. The hope is to prove why this idea should never be spoken about and why the only other jersey Thomas should ever put on besides a Browns jersey is the Pro Bowl jersey he puts on each year.

First, Thomas. Joe Thomas was the best offensive lineman in the NFL in 2015 despite turning 31 this past December and has never missed a snap during his entire career. Not only is he still in his prime but he’s the most durable offensive lineman going.

There isn’t a single sign of him dropping off to this point. Father Time may be undefeated but he hasn’t shown up for Thomas yet and plenty of great offensive linemen have played well into their 30s. He stays in outstanding shape and he makes a difficult craft look almost effortless. So much so that when he makes a small mistake, some fans criticize him as being overrated for not being perfect.

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If the Browns are ever going to be successful, it is going to depend on getting a quarterback. Be it a rookie like Carson Wentz or Jared Goff or trading for a veteran like Colin Kaepernick, it’s the only way this team is going to be a consistent contender. The best way to ensure the success of this new quarterback is to get rid of the best blind side protector in the game?

Good or bad, Kaepernick has consistently had good protection with the San Francisco 49ers including left tackle Joe Staley. His resurgence is going to be protected by a lesser veteran or a rookie?

And if the Browns decide to invest in a so-called franchise quarterback, whether he plays as a rookie or not, how does trading Joe Thomas set them up for success? Everything the Browns should do should be devoted to the cause of ensuring their franchise quarterback is in a position to succeed. Elite tackle play is a good thing to have.

So someone inevitably argues – if the rookie quarterback isn’t playing anyway, why does it matter of Joe Thomas is here as a rookie?

The Browns have a habit of needing all 3 quarterbacks and sometimes more just to get through a season. When Josh McCown is laying there clutching his shoulder because the Browns had to replace both starting tackles and he keeps getting decked, presumably the future of the franchise is headed in there with much, much less protecting against the outside rush.

Remember the last time the Browns used a top pick on a franchise quarterback with bad protection?

This may come as a surprise to some, but trading Thomas would also have a negative impact on the running game. The running game, when it is effective, can really help to protect the quarterback and put him in advantageous situations as it relates to play calling.

Last year, the offensive line did a good job when it came to run blocking. A combination of bad blocking from the fullback and tight ends combined with a visually impaired back in Isaiah Crowell really hampered the team’s ability to move the ball on the ground. Adding another issue to overcome isn’t going to improve the situation.

Everything should be geared toward helping whichever quarterback Hue Jackson chooses to be successful. No scenario changes it, be it a veteran on a prove it deal like Kaepernick, bridge to the 2017 draft class or picking a quarterback now, the situation isn’t improved by dealing Thomas.

Another complete non-factor is money. Thomas’s contract is more than reasonable for the remaining 3 years on the deal. All in, Thomas makes $9.5 million in 2016, $10 million in 2017 and 2018. For what he brings, that’s a bargain.

On top of that, the Browns have between $36 and $46 million in cap space at this point. They could move him to get another $9 million in cap space (he has $1 million in dead cap if moved), but it doesn’t change their situation or ability to operate whatsoever.

With the remaining 3 years on his contract, some argue the fact the Browns should move him because even though Thomas is great, he may simply retire soon and the Browns should cash in before he does.

For the sake of argument, assume Thomas will only play 2016 and 2017, then call it a career at 33 years old. Even if he only plays 2 more seasons, those 2 seasons have the Browns getting phenomenal left tackle play, protect their quarterback and allow them to prepare for his departure.

Currently, the Browns have to address right tackle and center with the losses of Schwartz and Alex Mack. The Browns planned for Mack with the drafting of Cam Erving in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He could conceivably play center, guard or even tackle but more likely, center or guard.

The Browns have some options at right tackle but are hopefully looking at this year’s draft to bolster the position and overall unit. It also wouldn’t be a huge surprise if John Greco is moved. Figuring out how to effectively replace 1 or 2 guys is hassle enough. Trying to replace the best left tackle and right tackle of 2015 and a top center is a monumental undertaking. And all of that would be happening while trying to develop a quarterback.

If the Browns keep Thomas, they have Bitonio at left guard next to him. It’s not impossible the Browns could slide him out to right tackle, especially under a new regime but he has shown he could be a special guard so they may not want to mess with it. They have enough pieces to put together a solid rest of the offensive line. There would be drop off but it can be done and be a reasonable unit as is. The draft could bolster it substantially.

In the event the Browns deal Thomas, new offensive line coach Hal Hunter has to come in and put together some kind of serviceable starting 5 while trying to develop a bunch of young players on the fly. If any of them struggle like Erving did as a rookie, hiding them will be more difficult. They almost have to play well right from the jump.

The other thing the Browns need to avoid is the same thing the Philadelphia 76ers have been going through this year. A team full of rookies or near rookies and no veteran leadership is a recipe for disaster. They don’t have guys in the locker room to show them how to act like a professionally and deal with some life issues that guys fresh out of college will struggle with well beyond being on the playing field.

Maybe Jalil Okafor would still be having the same issues he’s had this season, but maybe having someone there who’s been through these issues would help him. It got bad enough that the NBA assigned the 76ers Jerry Colangelo to step in and try to fix their situation.

Having someone other players respect to show them what kind of work and dedication is required to be a great player is important. Just signing random veterans long past their prime and didn’t have one doesn’t do it. Thomas demands respect and still is at the top of his game. It’s impossible to ignore him or what he offers.

Going back in Browns history is one final reason to be scared off by this concept. In 1970, the Browns traded Paul Warfield to the Miami Dolphins for their first-round pick. The Browns would then use that pick to draft quarterback Mike Phipps. Phipps would go on to be a massive disappointment while Warfield would win two Super Bowls before being elected to the Hall of Fame in 1983 – his first year eligible.

The situation is slightly different in that Warfield was 27 at the time, at his physical peak. However, the point remains. It’s difficult to trade a sure-fire Hall of Fame offensive lineman in Thomas, still at the top of his game, for a draft pick or package of picks. Getting fair market value is basically impossible.

It’s an incredible amount of pressure on whoever the Browns would use that pick on, be it an offensive lineman or anything else. That player would forever be linked to Joe Thomas. Every time they make a mistake, there will be a chorus of people saying they shouldn’t have traded Thomas.

And should that player fail, it’s another chapter added to the montage of Browns mistakes that gets played whenever networks can cram it in there. Another page to add to the coloring book.

Lastly, this isn’t Major League Baseball or the NBA. The Browns aren’t dumping salary like the Indians because they simply can’t afford it for prospects. They aren’t clearing space to make a run at a max player like the Cavs. They have a really good player that isn’t a stress on the cap, a question of the ownership’s willingness to play, and doesn’t impede them at all. He’s only a benefit. ‘Blowing it up’ doesn’t apply here.

There is a time and place where the team could move Thomas. If the Browns were to draft an offensive tackle that outperformed expectations and looked capable of taking over the job from Thomas and Joe wanted to go, then dealing him for picks would make sense.

There’s just no rush to do it. Creating another enormous need on a team full of them comes off as masochistic rather than prudent. Replace Thomas before dealing Thomas. Draft picks are great, but they can’t protect the quarterback and until they get someone else who can, they need Thomas as long as he’s willing to play.

No, that doesn’t mean draft Laremy Tunsil from Ole Miss at No. 2 (assuming he gets by Tennessee) and then turn around and trade Thomas. The Browns have a spectacular left tackle and they are going to use the second overall pick on another when they need a quarterback and could use a premier defensive lineman or safety, which are all slated to be available at the pick. Assuming Tunsil turns out to be a Hall of Fame tackle (a tall order), that would mean the Browns traded down to tread water. They didn’t get better – just younger.

The other consideration some will make is to Joe, the person. The suggestion being that the Browns owe it to Thomas to trade him somewhere he can contend for a Super Bowl. An understandable notion, that’s doing a lot of thinking and speaking for Thomas. And outside of his frustration after another fired coach (no one can blame him), he has said nothing other than he wants to be lifelong Brown and help this team become a contender.

If Thomas really wanted to get himself traded, he could. Some might argue that he should, but that’s a decision that Thomas can make for himself. Until he decides to push that option, this is purely a football decision. And from a football standpoint, it is absolutely the smart move to keep him and let him continue playing terrific football. Hell, if the Browns want to do something for him, pay him more on the 3 years he has left for being the caliber of player and person he’s been here.

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So stop with the nonsense about trading Joe Thomas because of frustrations with the overall direction of the team. It’s even worse for the people who try to hide behind the nebulous term ‘analytics’ as the reason to make such a move, when they don’t know what numbers the Browns are looking at to make such a decision.

From talent to cap number to his overall professionalism, the best option for the Browns is to keep the one truly great player they’ve had since the Browns came back in 1999. The team needs to fulfill their end of the bargain and surround him with players that can compete and win. If the Browns want do right by Thomas, that’s the way to do it.