CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns released receiver Jarvis Landry Monday afternoon.
The move saves the Browns over $14 million is salary cap space.
The Browns acquired Landry, who became the first major piece of the team's rebuild added outside of the draft, from Miami in 2018.
"The trade for Jarvis Landry in 2018 was a key moment for our organization," Browns executive vice president of football operations and general manager Andrew Berry said. "Jarvis' on-field production and fiery competitiveness speaks for itself, but his leadership and team-oriented attitude impacted our culture in a way that will last in time even beyond his release. These decisions are always difficult, but we wish Jarvis well and we look forward to the day when he returns as a storied Browns alumnus."
Landry made the Pro bowl his first two seasons in Cleveland after signing a five-year, $75.5 million contract extension shortly after the trade.
On Saturday, the Browns agreed to acquire receiver Amari Cooper from Dallas for a fifth-round pick and swap of sixth rounders. Landry was given the option to seek a trade but ultimately will be released after the two sides were unable to agree on an extension or restructure.
After being acquired from Miami, Landry embraced joining the Browns, who were coming off a winless 0-16 season and had been through the three worst seasons in modern NFL history at 4-44.
Tight end David Njoku, who received the franchise tag that will pay him $10.33 million, was drafted 29th overall in 2017 and was part of the Browns 0-16 team as a rookie. He was among several players to thank Landry on social media Monday.
“All I can say is thank you,” Njoku wrote as a caption on Instagram. “Thank you for creating the standard & culture that was needed to be established here in Cleveland. Thank you for showing what true leadership is. U will never be forgotten in this city for all u have done!! I love u & I’ll see u on the other end” followed by a juice and black heart emoji.
All Pro defensive end Myles Garrett echoed Njoku’s thoughts.
“Intensity, passion for the game and striving to be better,” Garrett posted on Instagram. “You brought those everywhere we went. Some would even say it was contagious.. Godspeed 80, be seeing ya soon”
Landry’s passionate speech to fellow wide receivers about toughness that aired during HBO’s Hard Knocks immediately endeared him to fans and went viral.
With Landry on the roster, the Browns won 32 games in four years, the most they had won over a four-year period since 1986-89, and made the playoffs for the first time in 18 years.
Unfortunately, a sprained MCL and bone bruise slowed Landry in 2021, limiting him to 12 games played. He still caught a team-high 52 passes, and he led the club in receptions in all four seasons with the Browns.
Landry totaled 288 catches for 3,560 yards and 15 touchdowns as a Brown.
