When cornerback Joe Haden faced the Cleveland Browns with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the season opener, it was a surreal experience. He had been released by the Browns after seven seasons just 12 days prior to that in a move that was not anticipated, and certainly not necessary. He was scooped up by Cleveland’s division rival just hours later.
He opened up that game in Cleveland but had his struggles as he worked to adjust to a new defense, in a new city, around new teammates—and yet playing in his ‘home’ stadium, only now visiting the other locker room.