Twitter Reacts After Cleveland Browns Release Joe Haden

The Cleveland Browns parted ways with veteran cornerback Joe Haden Wednesday. He played with the Browns, who drafted him in 2010, for about seven years, and many fans had strong reactions to his departure.

After shopping him around the trade market this week, the Browns decided to cut ties with Haden Wednesday morning, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Haden, 28, is due $11 million this year and when the team asked him to take a pay cut, he denied, according to ESPN's Pat McManamon.

Haden inked a six-year $74.6 million contract in 2014 after being drafted in the first round by the Browns in 2010. His noteworthy play granted him a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2013 and 2014. However, his performance declined in the subsequent years due to injuries, and he required groin surgery in 2016. He played in just 18 games since 2014, with only three interceptions and 13 pass breakups during those seasons.

The 28-year-old took to Instagram and thanked fans and the team for their continued support during his tenure in Cleveland. Fans also reacted to his departure, some suggested that he was better off without the Browns. Some congratulated Haden, citing his departure with the team might have been for the best.

Others proposed different teams for Haden to go to.

Haden's future may be solidified thus far, but several teams have reportedly shown interest in acquiring the young cornerback. The Pittsburg Steelers are the front runners amid signing discussions, per ESPN reports. New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts and the Dallas Cowboys are among the teams that expressed interest in Haden, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Josina Anderson.

The team's executive vice president and the head coach released a statement thanking Haden for his contributions to the team and the Cleveland community. The acknowledged his leadership and wished him continued career success.

"We want to thank Joe for all he has done for this organization both on and off the field," Browns executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown said in a statement. "He has been a great teammate and a true asset to the Cleveland community. These are very difficult decisions, we have the utmost respect for Joe and in my eyes, he will always be a Cleveland Brown."

"Joe gave everything he had for the Cleveland Browns and that’s all you can ask for as a coach," Browns coach Hue Jackson said in a statement. "He was a leader on and off the field. I wish him all the best as he continues his career."