Pat McManamon, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Browns passing on fifth-year option for Barkevious Mingo unsurprising

The Cleveland Browns will not pick up the fifth-year contract option on linebacker Barkevious Mingo.

It's really not a surprise.

That option would have cost the Browns $11.9 million in guaranteed money to keep Mingo through the 2017 season.

The only two outside linebackers this season who will make more than $11.9 million in base salary are Kansas City's Justin Houston and Denver's Von Miller. Mingo is not near that level of player.

Mingo will be a free agent after this season.

Since being the sixth overall pick in the 2013 draft, Mingo has been a disappointment. Drafted to be a pass-rusher, he has seven sacks in three seasons -- and he had none in 2015.

His numbers his first three seasons: 70 tackles, seven sacks and  one interception. In 2014, he played with a painful shoulder injury that required offseason surgery.

Mingo played his first three seasons at between 235 and 245 pounds. His agent told cleveland.com that he ended 2015 at 227.

This offseason, he reported he was "bigger, stronger, faster." But he would not confirm one report that said he was up to 265 pounds.
"It's not important," he said of the exact number.

The previous coaching staff wanted Mingo to be lighter so he could be used more in coverage. But defensive coordinator Ray Horton will let Mingo rush the passer more, thus the weight gain.

Mingo is still playing on potential, though, which makes it tough to swallow a salary of almost $12 million in 2017.

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