Terrelle Pryor passes on Browns, signs with the Jets

While the Cleveland Browns were horses in the race to sign free agent wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, they didn’t end up the winners. After two years catching passes for the Browns and a disappointing, 20-catch 2017 season with Washington, he has decided to take his talents to New York, signing with the Jets; details of the contract are not yet available.

Pryor, a former quarterback who switched positions in 2015 in his bid to return to the NFL, had a breakout year with the Browns in 2016, catching 77 passes for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns. He bet on himself in free agency a year ago, ultimately landing in Washington on a one-year, $6 million deal. However, his 20 receptions netted only 240 yards and one score.

Still, the Browns had interest in bringing Pryor back, but the odds turned against their favor; Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reported earlier in the week that he was deciding between the Jets and the Seattle Seahawks before ultimately deciding on New York. The Browns were not among his final considerations.

Cleveland’s excess of cap space has given the the opportunity to do a lot of spending during free agency, but they’ve been judicious with their signings. While it’s not the ideal situation that they were players for Pryor’s services and came up empty-handed, it may not prove to be a major loss.

While Pryor had his best year as a receiver in Cleveland, his 2017 performance is evidence that he is still working to become consistent and reliable. Perhaps a reunion with quarterback Josh McCown can produce a revival. Whatever the case, the Browns wanted Pryor, but his return to Cleveland was not meant to be.