As the Cleveland Browns move toward the 2020 season, another member of the team's roster has chosen not to play in the upcoming campaign. On Wednesday, the Browns announced that reserve offensive lineman Colby Gossett has opted out of the 2020 NFL season.
Signed as a free agent last September, Gossett spent 15 weeks on the Browns' practice squad last season before being promoted to the 53-man roster for the final game of the 2019 campaign. Entering 2020, he was expected to provide depth in the middle of Cleveland's offensive line and potentially compete for snaps at right guard.
Instead, the Appalachian State product becomes the fourth Browns player -- and third Cleveland offensive lineman -- to opt out of the 2020 campaign. Last week, Browns offensive linemen Drew Forbes and Drake Dorbeck each chose not to play this season due to concerns regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, while defensive tackle Andrew Billings opted out of the season on Tuesday.
Under an agreement reached between the NFL and NFL Players Association last month, players have the right to opt out of the 2020 season for any reason. Any player who chooses to do so will have his contract frozen and receive an advance of his salary for the 2021 campaign.
Speaking to reporters on a Zoom conference call on Tuesday, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said the team supports any player who chooses to opt out of this season.
"For all those guys, it is deeply personal and an individual choice," Berry said. "We will know at that time if there are more guys, but suffice it to say, organizationally, we support all those guys. We understand that it is a difficult decision, and again, it is very, very personal. We support the three guys who have opted out so far, and I look forward to them being back with the team next year."