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Cleveland Browns: Isaiah Crowell needs to be extended before season

By Kristopher Knox

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images /
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Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell could be in store for a big season, so waiting to negotiate a new contract could cost the team dearly.

The Cleveland Browns extended some of their young players this offseason, but running back Isaiah Crowell wasn’t one of the beneficiaries.

Guard Joel Bitonio was given a new $51 million deal that could keep him under contract through 2022. Linebacker Christian Kirksey was given a four-year, $38 million extension. Crowell — who came from the same 2014 draft class as Kirksey and Bitonio — was given a one-year deal worth just under $2.75 million as a restricted free agent.

The Browns should seriously consider getting a long-term deal done with Crowell before the start of the season. Otherwise, they could end up losing him next offseason or having to drastically overpay to keep him.

Crowell recently signed with NFL super agent Drew Rosenhaus, as Rosenhaus announced on Twitter:

One thing we know about Rosenhaus as an agent is that he will play hardball if he feels his client is being undervalued. This cost the Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor this offseason. To be fair, it also cost Pryor a shot at a long-term deal in Cleveland. This is relevant because Crowell’s market value could be much, much higher after the 2017 season.

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Browns head coach Hue Jackson has made it clear that he plans to utilize Crowell and the running game a lot more this year. Jackson said this about his back, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com:

"“I think Crowell is poised for a big year,” said Jackson. “I think he deserves it. He worked extremely hard a year ago. … Our running game needs to come to the forefront.”"

Crowell averaged an impressive 4.8 yards per carry behind an injury-riddled offensive line last season. He could be even more efficient running behind a new-look line that was recently ranked second in the NFL by Pro Football Focus heading into 2017.

Even if Crowell averages close to the 4.8 yards per carry he did in 2016, he could be in for a big year. If Jackson is willing to give him 250 carries, he’ll hit 1,200 yards rushing. Toss in roughly 300 yards receiving — he had 319 last season — and Crowell is over 1,500 combined rushing and receiving yards. That’s a Pro Bowl-caliber season.

How many teams around the league would love to sign a 25-year old running back coming off his first Pro Bowl campaign? Plenty. If the Browns let Crowell get to market, they may have too much competition to keep him.

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With Rosenhaus now in the picture, it’s imperative the Browns get Crowell under contract sooner than later. Rosenhaus knows that Crowell’s value could be higher next offseason than it is now. If Crowell gets off to a strong start to the season, Rosenhaus may well advise him to shelve contract talks entirely until the season is over.

By then, Crowell’s asking price and the possibility of losing him could both be higher.

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