Is it time to start getting worried about the Browns losing WR Terrelle Pryor?

For awhile, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that the Cleveland Browns would eventually re-sign WR Terrelle Pryor. But the weeks have flown by, and a deal still is not in place. Cleveland also opted not to use the franchise or transition tag on Pryor, which means they have no control over whether he leaves this year or not.

Pryor wants to stay in Cleveland — I don’t think that’s changed. However, his agent is Drew Rosenhaus, and the wheels have been turning where he’s trying to squeeze every penny out of the Browns. On Sunday, Charles Robinson of Yahoo tweeted that Pryor is expected to receive $10-$12 million per year:

My own personal projection for Pryor was $9 million per year, although I’d be satisfied with $10 million per year. In an article posted by Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer on Monday, she states that the Steelers, Giants, 49ers, Titans, and Eagles are among the teams who are interested in Pryor when the negotiating period begins on Tuesday.

Cabot also includes some numbers that Rosenhaus seems to be interested in for Pryor (which has led many to believe that Rosenhaus is her source):

Over the next two days, Rosenhaus will know exactly what he can get for the 1,000-yard receiver on the open market, and then the Browns will have an opportunity to match or exceed the best deal. Rosenhaus and Pryor also will weigh the offers to find the right opportunity for him. The two sides are currently far apart, with Rosenhaus believing that Pryor will be paid like one of the top receivers in the NFL.

The type of money being alluded to is $15 million per year, especially after Rosenhaus helped Steelers WR Antonio Brown get $17 million per year just last week. I don’t think any team will give Pryor that type of money for a long-term deal, so he might ultimately have to settle closer to what the Browns are offering.

Here is the concern, though: remember what happened with RT Mitchell Schwartz last offseason? Cleveland made him an offer, and he wanted to test the free agent market, believing he could get more. When he saw that was not the case, he came back to accept Cleveland’s offer, but Sashi Brown and company basically told him, “Sorry, that deal has expired and we’ve moved on.” If they took that approach with Schwartz, is it just a matter of time before the same thing happens with Pryor?

I understand the situation from both perspectives. Cleveland doesn’t want to be held hostage, and they can’t know for certain whether Pryor will return. Should they wait on Pryor, watch all of the free agent receivers sign elsewhere, and then watch Pryor sign elsewhere, which leaves them short-handed at the position?

We’ll continue to monitor the rumors as they unfold — but are you worried that the Browns are going to lose Pryor?