It’s official.
Another Cleveland Brown receiver is *officially* not returning.
The drain started last season, when Odell Beckham, Jr. forced a move from the Browns.
Cleveland eventually waived the wideout before he was picked up by the Los Angeles Rams, who I’m convinced the cap does not apply to.
And on Friday, Jarvis Charles Landry joined the list.
The free agent signed with the New Orleans Saints, per NFL Insider Jordan Schultz:
Breaking: Jarvis Landry is signing with the #Saints, per source.
The 5x Pro Bowl WR – with an impressive 43 career TDs – is from Louisiana and starred at nearby LSU.
Only 29, I’m told Landry wants to keep playing for many years. Juice is coming home! 🐯⚜️🥤
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 13, 2022
Bayou HoCo
It’s nothing short of a homecoming for Landry.
Not only was Landry born and raised in Louisiana, but he played college ball (alongside Beckham, ironically enough) in Baton Rouge at LSU.
Landry joins safety and fellow former Tiger Tyrann Mathieu, who also signed with New Orleans a few weeks ago.
For the Saints, it’s a demonstrable upgrade over last season’s receiving corps.
Before he went down with a season-ending ACL injury last season, Saints quarterback Jameis Winston had targets in Deonte Harty, Marquez Callaway, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey.
Or, as one fan aptly put it:
Jameis Winston threw a TD pass to a lacrosse player and now he's working with Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry, and Chris Olave.
— John Sigler (@john_siglerr) May 13, 2022
If you haven’t heard of those guys, it’s not your fault.
Callaway is the only one with any real tape.
And the Saints knew as much; they went into this offseason looking to arm Winson with as much talent as possible.
It explains why they took Ohio State standout Chris Olave so high in the 2022 NFL Draft.
And, in addition to Olave and Landry, there’s optimism that Michael Thomas will be back in action this season.
Between Olave, Landry, and Thomas, the Saints now vault up the NFC’s team-receivers rankings.
It’s a smart move, given how the league is trending towards prioritizing the passing game.
Plus, the NFC is predicted to be wide open this season and much weaker than its AFC cousin.
Even if the Saints don’t get over division rival Tampa Bay, they still very much could compete for a wild card spot.
Brown-ie Points
Browns fans took to social media quickly following Landry’s move.
And by and large, fans flooded Twitter with messages of gratitude:
Dear Jarvis Landry,
Thank you for being proud to be a Brown even when Cleveland was down.
Thank you for bringing pride to a city that went 635 days without the bliss of winning.
Thank you for one hell of a run, and most of all making Browns fandom fun.
THANK YOU pic.twitter.com/xFDhn8VGlk
— Nick Karns (@karnsies817) May 13, 2022
Jarvis Landry was a huge part in the culture change in Cleveland.
He will go down as a #Browns legend.
— Nick Pedone (@NickPedone12) May 13, 2022
Jarvis Landry has signed with the Saints, per @Schultz_Report.
Love from cleveland, always @God_Son80. Good luck back home. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/Ebizp6oM8U
— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) May 13, 2022
Jarvis Landry is probably the best pickup to change the culture of the Browns in the last 25+ years. Sad that they couldn't make it work here. I will always be a fan of him🥹
— C0RY (@c0ry024) May 13, 2022
Jarvis Landry is signing with the New Orleans Saints.
On behalf of Browns fans, thank you for everything Juice! 🧃🥲 pic.twitter.com/jfy8aRFzGD
— The Hottest Take (@Hottest_TakePod) May 13, 2022
Jarvis Landry’s parting gift to the Browns was not signing with the Ravens.
As if he hadn’t already done enough for Cleveland.
JUICE IS A HERO.#Browns #Ravens #Saints #NFL pic.twitter.com/zXDVMExQNq
— Browns fan UK (@brownsfanuk) May 13, 2022
The thanks are well deserved.
Landry will go down as one of Cleveland’s most productive and talented receivers in franchise history.
Through four years in Cleveland, he made two Pro Bowls, hauled in 688 passes, and was just 24 yards shy of eclipsing 1000 yards receiving for two straight seasons (976 in 2018).
But even more important, Landry was responsible for shifting the entire mentality of the Browns.
Prior to his arrival, the team was the league’s laughingstock – a punchline.
The front office was inept, the field devoid of talent.
Landry changed both of those things; he legitimized the front office and brought quality play to the field.
Saint > Raven
Earlier in the week, there was some speculation that the Baltimore Ravens had interest in Landry.
It would have been a gut wrenching move having a city’s hero voluntarily join its rival.
But to his credit, Landry avoided the purple and black, instead opting for the gold in black.
That makes him all the more a hero for the city of Cleveland.
The type of hero, who even in (metaphorical) death, gives fans reasons to be proud.
Juice will certainly be missed.
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