Browns cut ties with CB Joe Haden

After reportedly trying to trade CB Joe Haden for over a year, and even more aggressively over the past 24 hours, the Cleveland Browns have cut Haden, shedding his $32.9M contract, according to Ian Rapoport.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported that the Browns were “aggressively trying to trade” Haden yesterday, noting the team was “very motivated” to move his contract, which would have paid him that $32.9M over the next three seasons.
Haden signed a new deal prior to the 2015 season after a promising two years of play. In 2013 and 2014, Haden earned PFF coverage grades of 83.7 and 79.0, ranking 18th and 24th among the league’s corners, respectively. Over the two seasons, he allowed a passer rating of just 75.4 on throws into his primary coverage, the seventh-lowest mark among cornerbacks with at least 900 coverage snaps over that time.
However, since signing the deal, Haden’s play has declined and nagging injuries have kept him from consistent play. 2016 was Haden’s worst year as a pro. He gave up a league-high six touchdowns, and allowed 1.48 yards per coverage snap, the league’s 12th-highest mark among cornerbacks.
Haden’s performance this preseason has continued the downward trend. Through three preseason games, Haden has allowed 1.61 yards per coverage snap, and a passer rating of 104.6, both the highest marks among Browns cornerbacks with at least 30 coverage snaps.