NFL Rumors: Karlos Dansby Leaving Cleveland Browns For Cincinnati Bengals


NFL rumors have been swirling around Karlos Dansby this week. According to CBS Sports, he reportedly is being released by the Cleveland Browns, who are going into another rebuilding period. Dansby is actually relieved that he no longer is with the Browns. At 34 years of age, Karlos wants to find a team that has a good chance at going to the Super Bowl. Dansby has already been linked to the Cincinnati Bengals, a team in need of linebackers.

Even at an advanced age, Karlos Dansby is still one of the better players in the NFL. He led the Cleveland Browns in tackles last season. Dansby’s release isn’t because of what was going on the football field. His departure is due to the fact that the Browns need to build up younger and cheaper players. Veterans in the National Football League usually don’t want to spend their waning years on teams that have no chance at winning the Super Bowl.

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict
Vontaze Burfict [Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images]
In case any NFL teams are concerned about age and durability, Karlos Dansby was on the field for an astounding 98.5 percent of the defensive snaps for the Cleveland Browns. Not only is he in great shape, the former Auburn Tigers star is also versatile enough to play three downs. When linebackers get older, they often times only play on certain downs. For example, DeMarcus Ware is only going to be playing on third downs for the Denver Broncos next season because they only need him to rush the quarterbacks.

Karlos Dansby might not be a household name to NFL fans, but he’s on track to make history. With just one more interception, the former second round draft pick will have amassed a total of 40 sacks and 20 interceptions. Only four players in the history of the National Football League have accomplished that feat. Being in the same class as Seth Joyner, Ray Lewis, Wilber Marshall, and Brian Urlacher makes you a pretty exceptional football player.

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Ray Maualuga
Ray Maualuga [Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images]
While the Cincinnati Bengals had the 11th ranked defense in the NFL, their linebacker positions could use an upgrade. Vincent Rey and Emmanuel Lamur were solid for the team last season. However, they have their limitations. Rey signed a three-year contract with the Bengals to return, but he’s viewed as more of a backup. Lamur decided to sign with the Minnesota Vikings, where former Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is now the head coach for the Vikings.

The Cincinnati Bengals would have a pretty good linebacker trio if they could sign Karlos Dansby. He would team up with Ray Maualuga and Vontaze Burfict, who has to serve a suspension before he can rejoin the Bengals. Vincent Rey will once again fill in for Burfict during the suspension. AJ Hawk is also still around. Combine these five guys with a rookie coming out of college, and Cincinnati can feel comfortable with the position going into the next season.

In terms of winning a Super Bowl, Karlos Dansby would have a good chance with the Cincinnati Bengals. They’re a legitimate contender. AJ Dalton and AJ Green provide the Bengals with a prolific offense. The defense is filled with stars such as Geno Atkins, Pacman Jones, and a potentially good linebacker corp. Cincinnati might have an even better chance this season because the Denver Broncos have lost both Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler from their quarterback depth.

Winning a Super Bowl with the Cincinnati Bengals would make Karlos Dansby an enemy in the eyes of the Cleveland Browns fan base. Though the Browns haven’t been good in a while, their fan base still feels a rivalry with the Bengals because they’re in the same state.

[Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images]

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