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Terrelle Pryor will likely be a free agent when the NFL’s new league year begins on Thursday, March 9.
The Browns passed on their opportunity to franchise tag Pryor by Wednesday’s deadline. Cleveland head coach Hue Jackson and executive Sashi Brown publicly expressed interest in retaining Pryor at the 2017 NFL Combine, but at least one Browns reporter expects the wide receiver to move on. From ESPN’s Pat McManamon:
The Browns' efforts to sign Pryor to an extension have not worked out, and he will test the market. There, he will learn that it only takes one team to make a player wealthy. Prediction: Pryor will leave -- and leave a gaping need at receiver for the Browns.
As noted, Pryor is expected to be one of the top receivers available in NFL free agency. In his first full season playing as a wide receiver, the former quarterback recorded 77 receptions for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns in 2016. Pryor flashed off freaky athleticism and there’s a thinking the 27-year-old might only improve given more time to refine his craft at his new position. Not to mention playing with a quarterback that’s better than the slop the Browns trot out.
Will Pryor interest the Eagles? Almost any free agent pass catcher should and will. It just comes down to price.
On Pryor’s side, there are some indications he could be interested in signing with Philadelphia. Pryor went out of his way to praise Carson Wentz after the rookie quarterback had a strong NFL debut against the Browns in Week 1 last season.
"He's awesome,'' Pryor said when asked about Wentz, via Cleveland.com. "I'll tell you guys right now, I was just talking with him and a couple people, that kid's going to be a baller. (The Eagles) got one. I just liked his patience, he was great, he did an awesome job. He looked like he'd been there before.''
In addition, Pryor also recently retweeted a tweet about a Carson Wentz quote Howie Roseman had from an interview The MMQB:
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Last week, ESPN reported free agent wide receivers want to sign with the Eagles because of the Wentz factor. Will that be the case with Pryor? We’ll see when free agency begins soon.