On Tuesday afternoon the 2017 NFL deadline came and went with significantly more action than usual (Note: this day usually sucks). Throughout the last few days some semi-major transactions went through. For instance, the Dolphins traded running back Jay Ajayi to the Eagles. The Panthers traded WR Kelvin Benjamin to the Bills. And the Patriots traded backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo to the 49ers, where he'll undoubtedly shed that backup label.
In addition to those moves the Cleveland Browns could've landed themselves their very own quarterback in Bengals backup AJ McCarron. But...they didn't. And, as per an unconfirmed report, it was because of a screw-up that was very on brand for the franchise.
Wow...who knew AJ McCarron could evoke that type of reaction to a front office?
Anyway, like we said, that portrayal of the botched deal hasn't been confirmed. But, according to Adam Schefter, the two AFC North franchises did send in their paperwork to the league several minutes apart. The Bengals sent theirs to the NFL offices at 3:55 p.m. While the Browns didn't send theirs until after the 4 p.m. deadline. Because the trade was late (officially) the league declined to process it:
Browns beatwriter Mary Kay Cabot also pointed out that the proper paperwork wasn't presented to the league by 4 p.m. while pointing out that the organization's people aren't usually this incompetent:
Not surprisingly the team got their balls busted on Twitter. Without trying to be an a-hole (I sympathize with your plight Cleveland football fans) if there's one fan base that would be accustomed to this, you'd think it'd be Browns diehards:
Also, in case you're wondering, the proposed deal would've sent the Bengals a 2018 second and third-round draft pick in return. No real reason to get hung up on that at this point though. What's done is done.
