The Cleveland Browns are on the verge of going 0-16 to finish the 2017 NFL season. Needless to say, the Browns have made some bizarre moves in years past that have landed them in this position.
However, perhaps none have been more questionable this year than the release of two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden. Even wide receiver Josh Gordon was admittedly confused by Cleveland's decision to cut Haden prior to the start of the season, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer
“I was definitely confused,” Gordon said. “I think most of us were on that decision. It just didn’t make much sense at the time, but like most of those decisions that go on up top, they call the shots and whatever they see fit to do or fit to make a decision on, it’s kind of how they play it. So you think that there’s some validity to it that I didn’t know about or still don’t know about. I don’t know the reasoning behind it, but it was just confusing more than anything.”
Aside from his lucrative $13.5 million salary, there was little reason for then-head of football operations Sashi Brown to cut Haden. Despite Cleveland's porous performance in recent years, Haden remained one of the most steady cornerbacks in the league without ever making a fuss.
As sad as it was for the Browns' players and coaching staff to see him go, the decision ultimately worked out best for Haden. He now finds himself on a serious championship contender with the Pittsburgh Steelers and has recovered nicely since suffering the broken fibula back in November.
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