It looks pretty clear that left tackle Joe Thomas is about to have played a decade in the NFL without ever playing in a playoff game. With the Cleveland Browns on their way to yet another postseason-less season (for the 14th straight year), the only way Thomas will sniff the playoffs is if he is traded. That does not appear to be happening.
Browns head coach Hue Jackson tried to make it perfectly clear that Thomas will be a Brown for the rest of the season. His statement was relayed on Twitter by the Browns.
“We. Are. Not. Going. To. Trade. Joe. Thomas.” — Hue Jackson
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 24, 2016
Many NFL fans, even in Cleveland, are hoping Thomas gets a chance to play in at least one postseason game. After a decade in the league, to not play in at least a wild card game at some point just by accident is a remarkable feat. So trading away a loyal Brown like Thomas would be praised by many hoping he finally gets a chance to see what the postseason is all about.
But the Browns have some support from Thomas’ alma mater, Wisconsin.
we. do. not. blame. you. #OnWisconsin
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 24, 2016
The other possibility to consider is how many times a team has said they are absolutely not going to do something, only to turn around do it anyway. The Browns are in need of a rebuild, and trading Thomas could prove to lead to at least a moderate return to build for the future. The Browns should at least consider the option.
