Report: DL Ahtyba Rubin's Contract Won't be a Problem for Browns

Last week, we pondered whether the Cleveland Browns could make DE Ahtyba Rubin a cap casualty, especially after our projection about ILB D'Qwell Jackson came true. Heading into the final year of his contract, Rubin is due $8.175 million, making him the fourth-highest paid player on the team. Cutting him would only cost the team $1.375 million this season.

After our projection, multiple reports kept popping up around the web, including from Pro Football Talk, speculating that Rubin could be next on the way out. Based on an interview that Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer had with Rubin's agent, though, Rubin isn't going anywhere:

DT Ahtyba Rubin's agent Alan Herman met w/#Browns at Combine: "they're happy to have him on team, no changes to his ($6.6 million) salary.''

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 2, 2014

Herman told Cabot that he met with Browns contract specialist Sashi Brown at the NFL Combine, and that he was told, "There will be no modifications to the contract and (coach) Mike Pettine is excited to have him." That should put an immediate end when it comes to speculation that Rubin's roster spot is in jeopardy. While I expected Jackson to go, I felt the Browns would keep Rubin because he's younger and has proven to be a quality starter. The team was very good defending the run last year because of the depth on the defensive line, so why take one of those guys away when you don't have to?