Michael Dunn has already established himself as the top depth option on the inside of this Browns offensive line due to his God-given talent and astounding ability to play effectively at all three interior positions. Because of this, the Browns invited him back during the free agency period in April and seemed much more comfortable with him by allowing him to run for them this season.
After that, the Cleveland team was apparently all set with Dunn regarding their offensive lineup. Yet, they shocked the NFL community by taking an unpopular step for him.
Michael Dunn was released by the Browns
After playing his first three NFL seasons exclusively for the Cleveland Browns from 2020 to 2022, Michael Dunn returned to the team on a one-year deal as a restricted free agent. By 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the organization had dropped their recently acquired OL due to the strain of assembling their initial 53-man roster.
Update: The #Browns have released OL Michael Dunn 2 hours after wishing him a Happy Birthday.
(h/t @StainbrookNFL) pic.twitter.com/8TC5dDRhTX
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 28, 2023
The offensive lineman was utterly unprepared for the switch, as he had been thought to be the top backup to the Browns’ Pro-Bowl guard Joel Bitonio, who started the first offense in Bitionio’s absence. He has played in 28 games over the last two seasons, starting two of them.
The Los Angeles Rams signed the 30-year-old undrafted free agent on June 16, 2017. However, the Rams later released him amid the final roster cuts. Despite his best efforts to bounce back, he was unsuccessful in making the rosters of the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars before receiving a chance with the Browns.
Fans reaction to Michael Dunn’s firing
Cutting one of their more valuable offensive line depth pieces has brought a pile of backlashes for the Browns team. The fans have raised questions about the teams’ choice regarding a veteran player who already proved his caliber to be a part of their 53-man roster.
“Classic Browns,” one fan commented on Dov Kleimans’ X (Twitter) post regarding the veterans’ release news.
Classic browns
— PICKETT 2 PICKENS SZN (@Gaige_Rage) August 28, 2023
Furthermore, the Browns shared a visual on social media wishing Dunn a happy birthday on Monday just two hours before dismissing him. With this regrettable action by his organization, Michael put his name next to that of Jonathon Garvin, who was also released by the Green Bay Packers just hours after they had wished him a happy birthday.
“They gave him the Jonathan Garvin treatment 😭”, one comment read.
They gave him the Jonathan Garvin treatment 😭
— 𝗲𝘁𝗻¹🐆 (@ETNSZN) August 28, 2023
In reality, this is the harshness of the sporting world. The supporters referred to the NFL world as a “brutal sport” because only this world can make a guy happy and cry on the same day regarding their occupation.
Brutal sport
— DdC 🇺🇸✌️ (@VegasGMCasino) August 28, 2023
Up to this point, there is no assurance that the offensive lineman won’t sign right away with another team. His next move now remains to be seen.
Do you agree with the Browns’ sudden move with their OL? Let us know in the comments.
