As expected, the Cleveland Browns declined to use the franchise tag or transition tag on any of their impending free agents before the NFL mandated deadline of 4 p.m.
The Browns still hold exclusive negotiation rights with their free agents, most notably right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, wide receiver Travis Benjamin and safety Tashaun Gipson, but if they can’t work out a new deal before the league year begins on March 9 and free agency opens, they run the risk of losing another batch of free agents.
Executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown gave everyone a heads up last week that he expected today to be a quiet one for the Browns.