Santonio Holmes Rumors: Receiver drawing interest from Browns
It’s been a busy day/week for free agent wide receiver Santonio Holmes, formerly of the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.
After being apart of a workout with the Chicago Bears, the eight year receiver is now receiving interest from the Cleveland Browns, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Former #Jets WR Santonio Holmes worked out for the #Bears today, as they search for another WR. He's also drawn interest from #Browns.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 5, 2014
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In the wake of the Josh Gordon news, the Browns interest in Holmes could be preparation in case Gordon’s appeal isn’t approved by the NFL. Without Gordon, the Browns would enter the preseason and regular season with a shoddy receiving core that features the likes of Miles Austin and Nate Burleson.
Of course, off the field issues could be the nail in Holmes’ NFL career. In June, an unnamed NFL executive pointed to Holmes’ negative effect on the Jets’ locker room during his four-year tenure.
“We’d have to look more closely at what happened in New York with him in the locker room.”
One of the biggest names left on the free agent market, Holmes had his worst season as a pro last season as a member of the New York Jets, posting 456 receiving yards and one touchdown, all lows for his career outside of the 2012 season which ended prematurely due to injury.
It’s unclear what Holmes can provide at this point of his career, but his presence would give the Browns more depth at the position. With a better quarterback than rookie year Geno Smith, Holmes may be able to up his production.