With the Browns in rebuilding mode and needing to develop young prospects, particularly at the receiver position, injured veteran Dwayne Bowe has become a divisive figure of sorts among different segments of the organization, sources said.
Some on the Browns' coaching staff would prefer to move on from him, sources said, but with $9 million guaranteed in salary the next two years, that might not happen quickly.
Bowe, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury, played and practiced very sparingly in the preseason. When he did get a chance to make a statement in the fourth preseason game, he left many on the staff underwhelmed.
Despite Bowe still being injured as of last week, the Browns released Terrelle Pryor, who was oft-injured, too, but may have promise converting from quarterback to receiver. The fact that Bowe remains on the roster has puzzled some.
Bowe struggled the past few years in Kansas City, where he was the highest-paid among a Chiefs receiving corps that went without a touchdown reception for all of 2014. But with Bowe already receiving a $3.5 million signing bonus and a guaranteed $2.65 million salary this season and $2.85 million of his $6.15 million salary for 2016 also already guaranteed, parting ways with him quickly won’t be cheap.
Bowe has ties to general manager Ray Farmer, who is currently serving a four-game NFL suspension from their time in Kansas City. And Farmer is the one who has control over the roster.
So the Browns coaches are likely stuck with him for a while. Should Bowe get healthy it may be telling to see the volume of action he receives and in which situations. The Browns were enthused by the showing of veteran Brian Hartline last week. Andrew Hawkins is a solid slot option and Travis Benjamin flashed well last week, too.
Cleveland’s top receiver, Josh Gordon, is suspended this season and his reinstatement and future with the Browns is clearly in doubt.
