Former Cleveland Browns LB D'Qwell Jackson: "I was more than willing to restructure''
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, the undisputed leader of the Browns and most beloved player on the team, said Wednesday that he was "more than willing to restructure'' his contract to remain with the Browns, but that the two sides couldn't agree on the number.
"My agent Brian Mackler and I made the decision that if I was going to take that offer I'd go somewhere else where there's a little bit more stability and a situation that's a little bit better for me,'' Jackson said in an exclusive interview with Northeast Ohio Media Group. "I told (GM) Ray Farmer I think I've been a strong soldier for eight years and I just felt like -- we both did -- we couldn't come up with a number and we both felt like it was better for both sides just to move on.''
Jackson stressed that it's bittersweet, "but at this point in my career, I gave Cleveland everything I had. This time around I have a chance to choose where I want to go. I've saved my money and it's time for me to experience something different. I hate to say it, but I think it was necessary.''
He added, "there was a time when I thought I was out of the league three years ago. The good thing about this situation is I had a good year, I'm healthy and that's all I can ask for. I know I have job.''
Jackson, 30, was released on Wednesday instead of the Browns paying him the $4.0 million roster bonus due March 16 and a $100,000 workout bonus. Jackson, who signed a five-year contract extension two years ago through 2016 worth $42.5 million -- including $19 million in guarantees and bonuses, was due to make $3.93 million this season.
His salaries for 2015 and 2016 were $7.73 million and $7 million, respectively. The Browns will have $4.2 million in dead money on the books for him this year. If he had stayed, his cap number would've been $9.43 million.
"I definitely would've stayed if they would've payed the $4.0 million bonus,'' Jackson said. "I want to be around when Cleveland turns the corner. My feeling was always that 'this year is going to be the year.' There wouldn't have been any doubt in my mind that I wanted to be in Cleveland.''
The longest tenured member of the Browns at eight seasons, Jackson is currently a free agent and can sign with any team. His agent was already fielding calls from numerous teams within minutes after Jackson's release and he's expected to begin making visits on Friday.
"I'm willing to go to 31 other teams at this point,'' Jackson said. "Obviously I'm looking for a place that has some type of stability, someplace that a guy that's been around and you know he's not going to be out in two years. I don't have a crystal ball or anything but ideally that's going to probably have a lot of weight in determining my decision in where I go.''
Mackler said the issue with Jackson was that "we needed a commitment from the Browns that D'Qwell was going to be with the Browns for the next two to three years. They couldn't provide that, so we decided to have a mutual split.''
Mackler said he's never seen anything like the outpouring of support for Jackson from all over the league.
"In 24 years of doing this, D'Qwell has been one of the most respected people in the business that I've ever come across, whether you're talking about players, coaches or front office people,'' said Mackler. "The people that have left this organization value what he brings on and off the field. D'Qwell won't have a lack of suitors, and he'll have a choice of where he wants to go.''
Jackson, the Browns second-round pick in 2006 out of Maryland, admitted it would be tough to make the playoffs next year with another team.
"It'll be exciting for the simple fact that I'm in the playoffs, but then I'll feel like I'm cheating on Cleveland the first year I'm gone, because I wanted to do it in Cleveland,'' he said. "It will be exciting, but at the same time, I wish my brothers in Cleveland could experience it if they don't make the playoffs this year.''
Jackson's leadership ability was unparalleled in the Browns locker room. He held the team together through the trade of Trent Richardson last season and through subsequent rumors that Josh Gordon was on the trading block. He also guided the locker room through the suspension of Joe Haden for Adderall use in 2013 and through the firings of numerous coaches.
Jackson, who missed all but six games in 2009-10 with torn pectoral muscles, played for four different head coaches in his eight years here. He was miffed this year after the Browns fired Rob Chudzinski, and began growing weary of the upheaval.
"Every time a move happens like that, you think about it,'' said Jackson. "It's just a natural reaction. I didn't see it coming. I remember being asked about it in Pittsburgh and it was bizarre. I was angry. I couldn't believe people would start a rumor like that.''
Jackson felt like he was in good standing with the team until CEO Joe Banner and GM Mike Lombardi were let go Feb. 11.
"After that, I didn't know what to expect,'' he said. "I thought I was going to be here when they were still here, but there's no definite truth to that. That's just my natural feel. The decision was made quickly and they have some guys they have to take care of, Jordan Cameron, Josh Gordon. I'm not upset, because I know it's going to leave them room to take care of those guys when those guys are up.''
Jackson acknowledged that going 41-87 in his eight years took its toll. He never made the playoffs and experience only one winning season, the 10-6 campaign of 2007.
"Losing year after year, it sucks,'' said Jackson. "What I learned early on probably four years ago, you dig deep to find your strength during all that losing. find..and I was so optimistic when I was there in Cleveland -- I felt like we could win every game. I felt every year like we would go to the playoffs and win the Super Bowl. But my fear of losing that desire to play the game is what drove me to prepare and play hard.''
Jackson said he consulted with former teammates such as Scott Fujita, Mike Adams (Pops) and Eric Barton to make his decision. He watched Adams go to the Super Bowl this year with Denver after years of losing in Cleveland.
"All the guys that have left and have gone on to win -- Phil (Dawson) made a big kick and I was texting him and Pops is one of my good friends, so we keep in touch and he would tell me he loved Cleveland,'' said Jackson. "There's something about being in Cleveland. The guys are close. The guys go through tough times together, and at the same time he's experiencing a different locker room, he's experiencing something totally different and it re-energizes you. That's what I'm excited for. But it's tough. It really is.''
Jackson said he made a pros and con sheet and it opened his eyes to what he needed to do.
"What really made my decision easier was that the same cons that I had now were the cons I had five years ago,'' he said. "So something had to change.''
He said it will be interesting to watch from afar and see who fills the leadership void. He trained the young players such as Joe Haden, T.J. Ward and Tashaun Gipson well.
"I hope they take care of T.J.,'' he said. "The leaders will come from guys like T.J and Joe Haden and Paul Kruger and Quentin Groves. Whoever separates himself as the leader, that's going to be interesting to watch.''
He said the toughest part for him is leaving all the guys he's become so close to.
"That's the part that's tough is leaving the guys,'' said Jackson. "I thought we had a good group last year. We finally have the guys in the locker room to take that next step. It's just when are we going to stick behind a coaching staff that can develop these guys? I've met with the new coaches, I've met with coach Pettine, and they seem like great people and they're on the right mission, so I wish them all the luck.''
Jackson, who played every snap but one last year, said it wasn't a matter of fitting into Pettine's new defense, a hybrid multi-front scheme.
"In eight years I've had five or six defensive coordinators and the benefit I've had is I've played in the majority of defenses teams are playing,'' he said. "And I've thrived in most of them so I don't think that's the case. I also have to take into account am I going to play a certain amount of snaps? Can I for the next three to five years with this amount of snaps on my body. You really have to take that into account.''
Jackson said he takes consolation in the fact the Browns can use some of his money to re-do the contracts of Haden, possibly Ward and others.
"That's the way I'm dealing with it,'' he said. "That those guys that worked extremely hard, now it's their turn to be able to stay around as long as I did and be around the community.''
Jackson also expressed his gratitude to Browns fans every where in a statement released by the team: "Eight years ago I began a journey that blessed me with the opportunity to be a part of a wonderful organization and community. I want to take this time to thank each and every one of you for opening your arms and hearts to my family and me, and for making Cleveland an easy place to love and call home. It’s been an honor playing in front of you.
“I also would like to thank the Browns players, coaches and staff for their tireless work and commitment. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all and will always carry you with me."
Farmer also said in a statement, "We had positive discussion with D’Qwell and his agent over the last several days, and we came to the mutual agreement to go in different directions. D’Qwell is the epitome of class, leadership and professionalism. Every day of his NFL career, D’Qwell has been a solid representative of the Browns and the City of Cleveland, both between the lines on Sundays and off the field in our area community. We want to thank him for his eight years of service and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”
Jackson, who's expected to hear from plenty of his former Browns coordinators, said he's eager to test the waters.
"It's going to be exciting to see who wants me and I've never been a free agent before,'' he said. "This is all new territory.''
And a new venture for the Browns without their trusted leader.
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