Cleveland Browns not interested in Ryan Mallett

Wow, now this is getting just a little bit confusing. According to a source close to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Cleveland Browns are not interested in trading for New England Patriots backup quarterback Ryan Mallett. In fact, the source told Cabot that the Browns, “have not and will not” pursue Mallett.

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This report comes in contrast to earlier reports from the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and even the Plain Dealer. A source told Cabot earlier that there were rumblings of the Browns offering the Patriots a deal for Mallett, and the Boston Herald then reported that the Browns had indeed asked the Patriots about Ryan Mallett. To add to that, a source told Nick Underhill that the Cleveland Browns “really want” Ryan Mallett. Ultra-reliable beat guy Greg Bedard heard word from three sources that multiple teams asked the New England Patriots about Mallett, and those three sources also informed Bedard that there is a slightly greater chance of Mallett leaving New England than staying.

The Patriots want at least a second-round draft choice for Ryan Mallett, because they are still clearly high on Mallett’s ability for the future. If they were to trade Mallett, then Mike Kafka would be the primary backup to Tom Brady, and the Patriots, as Bedard reported, would be expected to draft a QB this year.

Cabot’s source directly refutes two strong reports from Boston-based beat writers, but Cabot is Cleveland-based and has the value of having the most recent report. But the Browns have always been mentioned as the team most likely to land Mallett, and Michael Lombardi does love Mallett (he and Bill Belichick are also good friends, if that means anything). Mallett also fits Rob Chudzinski’s new vertical offense in Cleveland, but maybe the Browns-Mallett talk has been overhyped. Who knows? Maybe the Browns feel like the Patriots asking price is too high, or they don’t want to do what it takes do give the Pats a second-round pick.

There could be a variety of reasons, and it’s interesting to hear this source say the Browns “have not and will not” call up the Patriots regarding Mallett. However, Bedard’s report still hold steady, because he reported multiple teams- not just one, like the Browns- have interest in Mallett. The Patriots could still trade the promising backup QB, even if this report holds true and the Browns aren’t involved in trying to acquire Mallett. And yes, Cabot is very reliable and this report has a solid chance of being the final say in this.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.