The Browns continued to their weeklong focus on signing many of their own free agents on Saturday. This time, it was by getting close to a one-year deal to bring back safety Rodney McLeod, a league source confirmed for the Beacon Journal.
Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot was the first to report the two sides were nearing a deal.
McLeod, who ended last season on injured reserve because of a biceps tear, would join defensive end Za’Darius Smith, defensive tackles Shelby Harris and Maurice Hurst Jr., punter Corey Bojorquez and offensive guard Michael Dunn as Browns free agents who re-signed with the team this offseason.
The return of Smith, Harris, Hurst and, likely, McLeod highlights a strong desire by general manager Andrew Berry to try to keep as much of the league’s top-ranked regular-season defense from last season together.
The 33-year-old was originally signed by the Browns last May after two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts to provide a veteran addition with leadership in then-new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s scheme. He did just that, even after tearing his biceps in a Week 11 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“You know, he’s found a way to contribute even without being on the field,” Schwartz said of McLeod in a Jan. 10 news conference. “And, I mean, I could be here for a month talking about the respect that I have for Rodney. He wore a helmet for me, two different teams, and another guy that I just totally respect and admire. … They’re all veteran guys, and they realize that their contribution to the team doesn’t begin and end — or doesn’t end with the game field or the practice field. They’ve been able to find a way to contribute, and our success has a lot to do with that.”
McLeod carved out a role as the Browns’ third safety alongside Grant Delpit and, when healthy, Juan Thornhill. He played in 10 games last season, starting five, and finished with 29 combined tackles and two tackles for loss.
The Browns are the second team for which McLeod has played with Schwartz as his defensive coordinator. He also played for him during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, winning a Super Bowl together at the end of the 2017 season.
“Really, his passion, his energy each and every day holding everybody accountable, demands the most out of you,” McLeod said of Schwartz during his first minicamp with the Browns last June. “He holds everybody to a very high standard, and that’s what you need in this business to win.
“And so I think he’s already established that here, and you could tell he’s a culture shifter, and so I feel like that’s needed. He’s going to demand excellence and just an amazing guy.”
McLeod’s career started as an undrafted rookie with the St. Louis Rams in 2012. He played with the Rams until going in 2016 to Philadelphia, where he stayed until after the 2020 season, when he signed with the Colts.
McLeod has 18 interceptions in 166 career regular-season games. He’s also forced 11 fumbles and recovered nine.
