Cleveland Browns Release QB Brandon Weeden

The Browns have released QB Brandon Weeden, meaning we have already hit on 2 of our 5 speculated cap casualties this offseason. Weeden was set to make $2.204 million against the cap in 2014. By cutting Weeden, he will count for $4.204 million against the cap this year. This is a cost-saving move for next season -- the guaranteed money he was scheduled to make in 2015 was accelerated to this year.

This means that both of Tom Heckert's first-round draft picks in 2012, Weeden and Trent Richardson, are no longer with the team. At least with Richardson, the Browns recovered with a first-round pick in 2014. The Browns get nothing but sour grapes for Weeden -- that, and the infamous memory of, "The Flip." The Browns might not be done releasing backup quarterbacks, because Jason Campbell is due a $250,000 roster bonus on March 15 and is scheduled to make $3 million this season as a backup. He's not worth it.

Browns general manager Ray Farmer released the following statement about the team releasing Weeden:

"First and foremost, the Browns would like to thank Brandon and his agent for being true professionals. The circumstances in which he found himself were not easy for him or the team. After discussions with Brandon and his agent, we’d like to give him the ability to pursue other opportunities."

The Browns could be in the market to add a backup quarterback before the draft, such as QB Rex Grossman or QB Matt Schaub (who has not been released yet).