Joe Thomas will be highest-paid OL

[tweet]https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/926902049605898240[/tweet]

The deal includes $3 million in new money over 2017 and 2018, including a $1.5 million roster bonus paid this past week, plus a raise of $1.5 million for 2018 of his base salary, which will now be $10.3 million.

Factoring in his base salary and bonuses, Thomas is now scheduled to take home $13.5 million in cash in 2018, the highest figure for any NFL offensive lineman.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/2128 ... -big-raise

Thomas is a future HoFer, and the best player the Browns have had in their 2nd life. But I find the timing odd. He just suffered the first major injury of his career, and he turns 33 in December. If I'm the Browns, I'd deal him to a contender in the offseason. He's still the best tackle in the league, and on top of the draft capital he would bring, he deserves a shot at the post season. The Browns are literal seasons away from contention. I pity the guy a bit.

It's probably a bribe to keep him from demanding a trade, lol.

Probably a way to keep anyone from trading for him as well as now push the going market for LT even higher, Brown I am sure is looking at that.

Disagree..Thomas is a few years passed his prime. Most browns fans will tell you this. Glad we got the right guy

Cyrus12":3beckyvz said:

Disagree..Thomas is a few years passed his prime. Most browns fans will tell you this. Glad we got the right guy

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O lineman are not RB's many have played into their late 30's at a very high level, unless they have a injury like Walter Jones.

Where some have played 20 years it seems many average around 12 to 14. So he could have another 4 to 6 years of good level production, considered the best right now even a slight step back would make him better then 3/4 of the rest.

It comes down to desire really and where he is at that may be a tough argument to make and keep losing.

chris98251":1jj0flm1 said:

Cyrus12":1jj0flm1 said:

Disagree..Thomas is a few years passed his prime. Most browns fans will tell you this. Glad we got the right guy

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O lineman are not RB's many have played into their late 30's at a very high level, unless they have a injury like Walter Jones.

Where some have played 20 years it seems many average around 12 to 14.

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With Big Walt, it wasn't just the injuries. He couldn't even take NSAIDs to help with pain.

Maulbert":177215am said:

Thomas is a future HoFer, and the best player the Browns have had in their 2nd life. But I find the timing odd. He just suffered the first major injury of his career, and he turns 33 in December. If I'm the Browns, I'd deal him to a contender in the offseason. He's still the best tackle in the league, and on top of the draft capital he would bring, he deserves a shot at the post season. The Browns are literal seasons away from contention. I pity the guy a bit.

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He made his bed so let him sleep in it. I for one want no part of an "all about the money" player. He's on a team that's horribly ran in every possible way at every level yet he stays. He is set financially though. Good for him and his family.

chris98251":r5wwxbwd said:

Probably a way to keep anyone from trading for him as well as now push the going market for LT even higher, Brown I am sure is looking at that.

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He is but 12 million or so is the going rate to let Wilson do his thing say like last Sunday? Brown is good for at least 3-5 years. Probably more given good/elite OL players often produce at good to elite levels for 15-20 years without injuries. And the majority last around 15 years.

Now imagine Russell Wilson with a good to elite LT as a 6-11 year quarterback. Basically his prime years. Oops, guess we won't have to imagine right?