Browns’ latest trade was a reward for an offseason project that worked out

The Cleveland Browns made a trade with one of their 2024 opponents on Thursday morning and it was a move that made plenty of sense for both sides.

Cleveland sent kicker Cade York to the Washington Commanders for a conditional seventh-round pick and the move was first reported by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.

York signed with the Browns in the offseason after bouncing around last year . Originally, York was a fourth-round pick by the Browns in the 2022 NFL Draft. Things started out well with York hitting a game-winner in his first NFL game against the Carolina Panthers. The rest of that rookie season was shaky at best and it led to the Browns moving on at this time last year following the preseason.

Cleveland brought York back this offseason to have a second kicker on the roster behind Dustin Hopkins. Hopkins has been the guy since the Browns traded for him and he became a Pro Bowler.

In hindsight, the Browns did waste a fourth-round pick on York. They took a chance on a big leg kicker who has struggled with accuracy in the NFL. It has worked out for Cleveland since they went on to find Hopkins, or else the wasted pick would hurt more. This preseason, York has handled all of the kicking duties and is 2-for-2 with a 55-yard field goal made.

Going to Washington, York appears like he will have a chance to hold onto that job with kicker Riley Patterson already being let go. Cleveland was set to cut York in a few days, so getting anything is best best-case scenario.

This may not be the last trade that the Browns make before cutdowns happen. As we know, Andrew Berry is an aggressive general manager who turns over every rock.

Related: Browns’ latest injury update on Pro Bowl defender raises some concerns around his well-being