The Cleveland Browns have brought back some big-time free agent players this week, including defensive linemen Za’Darius Smith and Maurice Hurst II . They could also be returning another underrated player at safety, Rodney McLeod.
According to Mary Kay Cabot from Cleveland.com, “Browns safety Rodney McLeod is close to returning to Cleveland on a one-year deal.”.
#Browns safety Rodney McLeod is close to returning to CLE on a one-year deal. He’s coming off of surgery to repair a torn biceps. Excellent leader and another former Jim Schwartz #Eagles player, like new LB Jordan Hicks.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 16, 2024
McLeod is a 12-year NFL veteran who was brought to Cleveland last season to play because he had a connection with the new defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz.
McLeod was mainly the third safety last year, with Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill as the primary starters, but his season was cut short halfway through due to a torn pec.
McLeod won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles back in 2017-2018 when Schwartz was his defensive coordinator, and he gets to pair up again with the Brown’s new linebacker Jordan Hicks who they signed earlier this week and who was also on that Eagles team.
The Cleveland Browns saw undrafted free agent Ronnie Hickman step up in a big way after McLeod went down last year, so it will be a battle between the two to see who gets the third safety spot.
McLeod brought a lot to the team last year and helped everyone get used to Jim Schwartz’s defense, so it will be nice to have him back.
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