The Cleveland Browns made a notable move to strengthen their defensive backfield on Thursday, signing former Philadelphia Eagles safety Rodney McLeod, according to multiple reports.
McLeod spent six seasons with the Eagles organization and helped play a big role in the team’s Super Bowl Championship in 2018. While McLeod is more known for his time in Philadelphia, he played in all 17 games for the Indianapolis Colts in 2022. The veteran safety set a career-high in tackles, tackles for loss and passes defended while recording his best-ever Pro Football Focus grade (80.1) — good enough for 11th at his position.
As many have already noted, McLeod reunites in Cleveland with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who served in that same capacity in Philadelphia from 2016-2020.
Some expected the Browns to address safety in the 2023 NFL Draft after parting ways with both John Johnson and Ronnie Harrison this offseason. While the Browns had already addressed the safety position in the first phase of free agency — signing former Kansas City Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill to a lucrative contract — they still needed depth in the backend.
McLeod figures to be a more than viable third option in Cleveland’s secondary behind that of Thornhill and Grant Delpit. It certainly helps that the team is bringing in a veteran like McLeod, who can assist with the installation of a new defensive playbook, during offseason workouts.
[Jake Trotter, Free Agency Frosty on Twitter]
