One more free-agent WR now available: Browns are releasing WR Jarvis Landry, per source.
Amari Cooper arriving, Landry departing.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2022
This is interesting: the Cleveland Browns are releasing veteran wide receiver Jarvis Landry on Monday after failing to reach an agreement on a restructured contract or trade to another team, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Landry, 29, has earned five Pro Bowl nods in his eight-year run with Cleveland and the Miami Dolphins. He’s averaged 5.6 receptions for 61.8 yards per game in his career.
And he makes a lot of sense for the New Orleans Saints, who only have one receiver returning from 2021 with multiple receptions on his stats sheet: Marquez Callaway. Michael Thomas is getting back to good health, but he missed the entire season with an injury. Deonte Harty, Tre’Quan Smith, Ty Montgomery, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, and Kenny Stills are all pending free agents.
There are benefits to the Saints signing Landry beyond what he offers on the field (which is playing the role of a sure-handed weapon working to set the tone for the offense); because he will be released from his Browns contract, Landry is available to sign with any team immediately, rather than being forced to wait until the start of the new league year on March 16. Additionally, because his contract was terminated rather than expiring naturally, his addition would not jeopardize any possible compensatory draft picks New Orleans could receive in 2023.
You’ve got to wonder if Landry would agree to join the Saints at an agreeable contract figure, but the fit and motive are there. And he could enjoy playing in front of a friendly home crowd (Landry, of course, was born in Metairie and starred in college with the LSU Tigers). We’ll see if the Saints show any interest in the days ahead.
