The Browns haven’t ruled out re-signing free-agent wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, but they also think it’s unlikely he’ll return to them.
The organization attempted to absorb the expected loss of its best pass-catcher Thursday by agreeing to a contract with former Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt as free agency officially began.
Britt received a four-year deal worth $32.5 million, including $17 million guaranteed.
Pryor, meanwhile, had a free-agent visit scheduled with Washington, according to reports.
The Browns want Pryor back at what they consider fair market value, likely in the ballpark of the average annual salary of $8.1 million they gave Britt.
But Pryor would like to be paid like an elite receiver, possibly as much as $15 million a year. The team doesn’t believe he should be paid like one and would be shocked if he ultimately got the caliber of deal for which he’s been aiming.
But the bottom line is losing Pryor, 27, would be a blow. Last year, in his first full season after switching from quarterback to receiver, the former Ohio State standout led the Browns with 77 catches for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns.
Britt, 28, produced similar numbers last year, but it took him eight NFL seasons to get there. He started all 15 games in which he appeared and had career highs in catches (68) and receiving yards (1,002) to go along with five touchdowns.
“Kenny’s been a proven playmaker in the National Football League,” Browns coach Hue Jackson said in a news release. “Obviously, he brings credentials to the position and to the Cleveland Browns. He’s a big guy. He’s fast, tough. He’s made plays in his career, and we’re looking forward to him doing the same thing here.”
The Philadelphia Eagles had been in the running to sign Britt before the Browns agreed to terms with him. The New England Patriots, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills pursued him as well.
“It kind of came down to Kenny having a liking to Hue Jackson from afar,” Britt’s agent, Fadde Mikhail, said by phone. “Hue’s the type of offensive mind that Kenny’s been wanting to play with for a number of years since he’s been in the NFL.”
The Tennessee Titans drafted him in the first round (No. 30 overall) in 2009.
ProFootballFocus.com ranked Britt 25th on its list of the top 50 free agents. NFL.com ranked him 32nd on its list of the top 101 free agents.
Pryor is 13th and 10th on those respective lists.
On Jan. 1, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam listed re-signing key free agents as a priority for the organization.
Pryor and linebacker Jamie Collins were the only two key impending unrestricted free agents on the roster. The Browns signed Collins to a four-year, $50 million contract in January, but they haven’t been able to seal the deal with Pryor.
Head of football operations Sashi Brown said last week at the NFL Scouting Combine the Browns valued Pryor but wouldn’t panic if he left. Receiver will be a pressing need, though, unless Pryor surprises the Browns by coming back.
So long
After spending the past four seasons with the Browns, safety Jordan Poyer agreed to a contract with the Bills.
Poyer, 25, became a full-time starter for the Browns last year but only played six games because a lacerated kidney suffered in October against the Titans ended his season.
The Browns started five safeties last season and have a dire need at the position.
They pursued former Arizona Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson, but he chose the Baltimore Ravens instead. They were linked to former Jacksonville Jaguars safety Johnathan Cyprien, though he agreed to a deal with the Titans.
The top-rated safeties remaining on the open market are T.J. McDonald and Bradley McDougald.
Another roster move
The Browns claimed offensive lineman Marcus Martin off waivers from the 49ers.
A third-round pick in 2014, Martin started 24 of the 26 games in which he appeared the past three seasons. He compiled 22 starts at center, one start at right guard and one start at left guard.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com.