In February, when NFL front offices were heading to the scouting combine and shaping up lists of potential offseason cuts by opposing teams, Cleveland Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon was expected to be a serviceable player who would be readily available.
Not only was Vernon set to make $15.25 million in 2020, the wide belief was that new general manager Andrew Berry would be eager to clear out the additions of former GM John Dorsey who hadn’t lived up to their paychecks and might not be culture fits under the new regime.
Teams waited for Berry to make a move with Vernon.