Cleveland Browns claim Chase Ford, waived by the Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens let go of young tight end Chase Ford this week, a move that was seen as corresponding to the announcement from Dennis Pitta that he will be continuing his career and the connected restructure of his contract which was announced yesterday. The Ravens are loaded at tight end, with veteran free agent Ben Watson a priority addition this offseason, and recent draftees Crockett Gillmore, Maxx Williams, and the currently suspended Nick Boyle on the roster already. The team also announced the move of 2015 sixth round pick Darren Waller from wide receiver to tight end earlier this offseason, a move that was seen as a possibility by many teams before he was drafted.

Thus, it was a curious move when the Ravens extended Ford a tender this offseason, since he plays a position at which there was no need. Although he signed the tender, the team owes him no money by cutting him since the entire amount was in base salary for 2016, and he didn't make the roster.

Ford, who did not see any action with the Ravens in 2015, was claimed by the Browns, the latest Ravens player to be pursued by their division rivals. Other players to end up in Cleveland include Paul Kruger, Gary Baxter, Derek Anderson, Jamal Lewis, and Billy Cundiff, among others. Ford will compete for a roster spot behind Pro Bowl tight end Gary Barnridge.