Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
The Cleveland Browns are taking heat for what’s perceived as a tone-deaf move on Monday, waiving offensive lineman Michael Dunn on his birthday.
At 10 a.m. ET, the Browns sent out a tweet wishing Dunn a happy birthday with the following caption: “Join us in sending the happiest of birthday wishes to @MikeDunn4Real!”
Less than three hours later, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the Browns were waiving Dunn.
A day later, the Browns’ birthday tweet remains on the timeline of their account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Seriously, your PR team needs to be smarter,” one X user posted.
That sentiment was echoed by many fans on social media.
“You wish the Man Happy birthday then cut him two hours later damn that’s cold Man,” another user posted.
“Happy Birthday Bro! Now go look for another job,” wrote a Browns fan.
Dunn’s birthday came one day before all 32 NFL teams are mandated to reduce their rosters to 53 players.
Dumping Dunn, 29, “is considered somewhat surprising to many,” according to Sports Illustrated. “Dunn appeared to be the top backup to the Browns pair of Pro-Bowl guards in Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller. The corresponding moves to be made will be very interesting to watch play out.”
It’s not even the first time this scenario has played out this spring — the Packers wished a happy birthday to linebacker Jonathan Garvin at 8:53 in the morning on July 28, only to release him three hours later.
It’s possible Dunn returns to the Browns as a practice-squad player if the other 31 teams take a pass.
Dunn spent the last three seasons with Cleveland, playing in 28 games.
