Browns Nearly Pulled Off Trade for $7 Million WR at Deadline: Report
The Cleveland Browns were active on the trade market throughout the offseason and into the year, but remained relatively quiet as the NFL’s November 4 deadline approached and ultimately passed.
Cleveland (2-6) positioned itself as buyers ahead of the deadline rather than sellers, even despite having recent Pro Bowl players such as offensive guard Wyatt Teller and tight end David Njoku on the final years of their respective contracts and heading toward free agency next March.
The position at which the Browns were most likely to make an acquisition was wide receiver, where the roster struggles with both high-end talent and overall depth. As it turns out, Cleveland was quite close to adding second-year pass-catcher Adonai Mitchell, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts, before he ended up with the New York Jets as part of a blockbuster trade that saw superstar cornerback Sauce Gardner land in Indy.
“Former Colts second-rounder Adonai Mitchell was another player who received real interest. In fact, had he not gone to the Jets as part of the Gardner deal, the Browns planned to complete a trade for Mitchell, sending a late-round pick to Indianapolis,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on Saturday, November 8. “Mitchell has just nine catches this season for 152 yards, plus had a notable gaffe when he let go of the ball before the goal line against the [Los Angeles] Rams. He had fallen out of favor with the Colts.”
Adonai Mitchell Could Have Offered Browns’ WR Room Upside Over Next Few Seasons
GettyFormer Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
Mitchell is in just his second year after Indianapolis made him a second-round pick (No. 52 overall) out of Georgia in the 2024 draft.
He is currently in the middle of a four-year rookie deal worth $7.4 million total. Still just 23 years old, Mitchell finished his rookie campaign with 23 catches on 55 targets for 312 yards. He has yet to score a touchdown as a professional.
But while Mitchell’s numbers aren’t going to blow anyone away, the Browns were looking for precisely that type of player on that type of contract ahead of the deadline.
Browns Urged to Make Splash Move for Wide Receiver Next Offseason
GettyCleveland Browns wide receiver Isaiah Bond.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com outlined why the Browns were buyers at wideout ahead of the deadline and why a young player with upside on an affordable deal — such as Mitchell — was the kind of trade candidate Cleveland was targeting.
“They tried to add a couple of players, but nothing came together by the 4 p.m. deadline. They were players who could help them not only this season but for the next few years, much like cornerback Tyson Campbell,” Cabot wrote on Saturday. “They’ll likely have a chance to pursue some of them again in the offseason.”
She also spoke to the team’s issues at the receiver position in her November 8 mailbag column.
“The front office has addressed the receiver position through trades, some mid-to-late-round picks, and a couple of free agents such as rookie Isaiah Bond,” Cabot wrote. “What they haven’t done is draft a receiver high, or spend a lot on one in free agency. This offseason, they should try to draft a No. 1-caliber receiver in the first or second round [or] sign one in free agency.
Spencer Rattler Breaks Silence: “NFL Doesn’t Care About Your Pain — You Have to Play Anyway”
In an emotional revelation that’s shaking the NFL to its core, Spencer Rattler of the
Rattler, who briefly played alongside Kneeland during his time with the New Orleans Saints, called the loss of his former teammate “devastating” and a stark reminder of the unspoken pressure NFL players face. But it wasn’t just about the grief — it was about the expectation to perform no matter what:
"Everyone thinks the NFL is just about football. But the truth is, they don’t care what you're feeling. They just expect you to show up and play. We’re told to shut off our emotions, but that’s not realistic. I feel like we’re not allowed to grieve the loss of a brother because we have to get ready for a game. That’s the cold reality of this league."
A Wake-Up Call to Fans: "We're Not Machines"
Rattler’s shocking admission sheds light on the emotional toll that NFL players endure, often sacrificing their own mental well-being for the sake of the game. As the
"We’ve got to put our feelings aside for the fans, for our coaches, and for our teammates. But losing someone like Marshawn—it’s like losing a brother. It’s not just a game. People don’t understand how much time we spend with each other, and now I have to focus on beating the Packers while mourning my friend. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do."
A Brotherhood in Crisis?
As the NFL grapples with the tragic loss of Kneeland, Rattler’s powerful words are raising serious questions about the emotional cost of playing professional football.
Is the NFL a family, or is it a brutal machine that demands players sacrifice everything — including their emotions — for the game? The death of Kneeland is only the latest in a long line of heart-wrenching moments that show just how much players endure off the field.
