Joe

Schobert

Schobert was a March cap casualty as the Steelers upgraded to Myles Jack at linebacker. He visited the Saints in June and Broncos in July, but the dislocated elbow of Jonas Griffith in week one of preseason appears to be the driving force behind this signing. Schobert will be competing with Josey Jewell and Alex Singleton for work inside.

Schobert turned into a cap casualty earlier this offseason after the Steelers cut him following the signing of Myles Jack. The 28-year-old linebacker played with the Jaguars and Steelers each of the last two seasons and was with the Browns from 2016 to 2019. Last season he totaled 112 tackles, one forced fumble and one interception.

Schobert was a cap casualty in Pittsburgh after they picked up Myles Jack. He’s drawn no reported interest so far this offseason. The 28-year-old linebacker has mostly been a replacement-level linebacker since signing with the Jaguars in free agency.

Schobert came over from the Jaguars in a small stakes training camp trade for a sixth-round pick and offered durability with 921 defensive snaps last year. After getting Myles Jack in free agency -- Jacksonville’s other inside linebacker from 2020 -- Schobert was expendable for Pittsburgh. Schobert led the NFL in tackles in 2017 and should be on the radar for several teams looking for an adequate middle linebacker.

The Jags have nabbed a 26-year-old, every-down player, albeit one who has never earned exceptional marks from Pro Football Focus. The Browns made no effort to re-sign Schobert, and have lavished money elsewhere in free agency. Having lost Telvin Smith, the Jags had a putrid linebacker corps in 2019. Schobert stuffed the stat sheet with the Browns, contributing two sacks, four picks and two forced fumbles.

Schobert is reportedly looking for something north of $10 million annually, which the Browns simply aren’t willing to meet. The 26-year-old LB has been a three-down player for the past three seasons. Schobert racked up four interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2019, emerging as one of the defense’s true difference-making talents. The former fourth-round pick has played in 61-of-64 games since entering the league in 2016.

Translation, the Browns are not currently close to meeting Schobert’s asking price. Berry did say the sides will talk at the Combine. The No. 99 overall pick of the 2016 draft is coming off a play-making 2019, though one where he actually earned negative marks from Pro Football Focus. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports “half a dozen teams or more could be interested” in the 26-year-old. He has been an every-down player for three seasons.

"[Berry] said he’d be reaching out and talk to my agent over the course of the next couple weeks,” Schobert explained, who has been with Cleveland for all four of his NFL seasons. The former Pro Bowl linebacker added that he believes Berry will talk to his agent, Joe Panos, at the NFL Scouting Combine. Schobert recorded four interceptions and two sacks in 2019. The two sides seem to have a mutual interest in keeping Schobert with the Browns.

Schobert recorded his second straight two-interception game by picking off Ryan Fitzpatrick two times in the win over the Dolphins. He’s second to Shaq Thompson among all linebackers in snaps played this season and is set to be a free agent in March. Schobert is a piece GM John Dorsey needs to get under contract.

Schobert’s absence would be good news for Kalen Ballage and company. Ballage has racked up 172 yards on 77 combined carries and receptions this season for an average of 2.2 yards per touch. He continues to function as the Dolphins’ three-down back with both Mark Walton and Kenyan Drake out of the picture, but the second-year RB is arguably the only back in the league with a 15-touch floor that deserves to be faded.