BEREA, Ohio — Center JC Tretter, who was recently re-elected to a second term as president of the NFL Players Association, was released from the Cleveland Browns in a move that removes $8.25 million from the salary cap, it was announced Tuesday. .
Tretter, 31, has helped the NFLPA for two tumultuous years amid the COVID-19 pandemic and has been instrumental in working with the league on protocols to keep players safe.
On the field, Tretter has started every game for the Browns for the past five seasons despite nagging knee injuries. With Tretter as an anchor, Cleveland has been among the league’s top offensive lines in each of the last two seasons.
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“For the past five seasons, JC has been our mainstay and iron man at center,” said Browns general manager Andrew Berry. “He came to our organization during a period of instability and was one of the key veterans who helped turn the tide over the past few years. We will miss his leadership – both in the dressing room and on the field. We wish JC as he continues his career.”
Tretter’s release paves the way for Nick Harris as a Cleveland starting center. The Browns selected Harris in the fifth round from Washington. He made one start in each of his last two seasons as a quarterback.