Browns agree to trade Kevin Zeitler to Giants for OLB Olivier Vernon

It might not be the player Cleveland fans expected, but the Browns have indeed agreed to a trade with the New York Giants.

The Browns will send right guard Kevin Zeitler to the Giants for outside linebacker Olivier Vernon. The deal cannot be official until the new league year starts March 13.

The #Giants are trading LB Olivier Vernon to the #Browns, sources tell me and @RapSheet.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 8, 2019

The #Browns are sending G Kevin Zeitler to NYG in exchange for #Giants pass-rusher Olivier Vernon, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2019

The trade offer for star Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. may have laid the groundwork for this deal.

Zeitler was the Browns’ starting right guard for the last two seasons after signing as a free agent from the Bengals. He is entering the third year of a five-year, $60 million contract.

Vernon, 28, has 13.5 sacks in 23 games over the last two years. He earned his first Pro Bowl appearance last season.

Update: Here are the full details of the transaction:

OK, so here's the whole deal: The Giants sent LB Olivier Vernon and their fourth-round pick (132nd) to the Browns for G Kevin Zeitler and a fifth-round pick (155th). … The cap money is basically a wash, though the Giants do clear about $1.5M in space.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) March 8, 2019