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Could Joe Thomas be contemplating a return to the Browns?

After recent offseason moves, the Twitter universe is questioning whether Joe THomas will make a return to the Cleveland Browns.
Credit: Chris Szagola
New York Giants' Odell Beckham (13) returns a punt during the second half of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Sunday, November 25, 2018.

CLEVELAND — One year after announcing his retirement from the National Football League, could record-setting Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas be contemplating a return to the Cleveland Browns after some huge offseason moves?

Shortly after reports surfaced that the Browns had acquired Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. for two draft picks and safety Jabrill Peppers Tuesday night, a fan brought up the idea of a return in the Twitter post and Thomas did not exactly rule out the possibility.

Over 59 regular-season games, including 56 starts, in five years with the New York Giants, Beckham Jr. turned 622 targets into 390 receptions, 5,476 yards and 44 touchdowns. Beckham Jr. averaged 92.8 yards per game, including a league-best 108.8 during the 2014 season.

Beckham Jr. has put four 1,000-yard and three double-digit touchdown seasons on his resume since being selected with a first-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Louisiana State University.

Beckham Jr. was a three-time Pro Bowl selection (2014-2016) and two-time Second Team All-Pro honoree (2015-2016) during his five years with the Giants.

Credit: Chris Szagola
New York Giants' Odell Beckham (13) returns a punt during the second half of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Sunday, November 25, 2018.

By coming to the Browns, Beckham Jr. will play alongside heralded quarterback Baker Mayfield and his former LSU teammate, Jarvis Landry.

No rookie in the near 100-year history of the NFL has thrown more touchdowns passes than Mayfield.

Mayfield broke the NFL record with his 27th touchdown throw of the season with 3:24 remaining in the fourth quarter of a 26-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC North Division clash at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on December 30.

After taking over the first-team offense in the second quarter of a Week 3 win over the New York Jets, Mayfield completed 310 of his 486 attempts (63.8 percent) for 3,725 yards and 27 touchdowns against 14 interceptions.

Under the direction of new Browns coach Freddie Kitchens, who was the interim offensive coordinator for the second half of the 2018 season, Mayfield completed 180 of his 263 attempts (68.4 percent) for 2,254 yards and 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions.

Whether or not Thomas would consider unretiring for a run at something he was unable to achieve in his 11 years with the club, a trip to the postseason, is a decision up to him and his family, but that did not stop him from enjoying the moment.

After having just one winning season in his Browns career, Thomas relished in the fact that the team seems to be moving in a positive direction, one that may allow it to compete for an AFC North Division Championship and a long postseason run.

“It’s going to be an incredible year, and all I can say is, when you look at this roster, there are no holes,” Thomas said on NFL Total Access after the deal was reported. “Can you say that about maybe five teams in the NFL? Maybe.

“You look across the board, especially at those important positions, quarterback, receiver down the field, receiver underneath, offensive line, running back, defensive line, there’s no holes.”

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