Leadership, dependability, professionalism and a level of excellence not seen on the Cleveland Browns' offensive line in decades.

That's what the Browns stand to lose if left tackle Joe Thomas says he has had enough with the constant change in Cleveland and decides he'd rather finish his career elsewhere.

Thomas dropped that bombshell possibility the same day a long and difficult 2015 season ended. It's the first time he ever waffled on finishing his career in Cleveland.

Stalwart left tackle Joe Thomas is the anchor of the Cleveland Browns' offensive line. Ron Schwane/AP

If he follows through, the Browns lose a great deal on the field. But off, it also brings to light the potential struggles with the team's new organizational setup.

This left tackle who for years has held up so much of his part of the Browns' offense could be a tipping point on and off the field.

Either way, the implications are large.

Thomas has played every down at a superior level since he was a first-round draft choice in 2007. He has done it protecting the quarterback's blind side, against the opposing team's pass rusher. This past season he made first-team All-Pro and had one of his best seasons at the age of 31. His play was exceptional.

Teams are built with left tackles, cornerbacks, quarterbacks and receivers. Letting the best player at one of the four key positions go makes no sense.

But if Thomas asks out, the Browns could decide to do a favor for a guy who gave them so much.

The ripple effect on the rest of the team could be huge. Center Alex Mack can choose to be a free agent, and Thomas is one of his better friends on the team. If Thomas goes, Mack may be more likely to go. Add on that underrated right tackle Mitchell Schwartz is heading to free agency and the Browns and their new coach could be looking at finding three new starters on the offensive line. Good luck.

Thomas almost was dealt at the trading deadline last season, though it's debatable that the Browns were close to saying yes. They were offered a first-round pick, though, along with the swapping of lower-round picks.

Which is where things get interesting with the Browns' new front office. With the promotion of Sashi Brown and the hiring of Paul DePodesta, the team is tilting stronger toward analytics.

As former Browns CEO Joe Banner pointed out on ESPN, an analytics approach always favors the accumulation of draft picks and almost always favors getting rid of aging players. So the analytics side of the building would have said to make that Joe Thomas trade. Accumulate picks for the future.

They key is establishing the value of a player. If the analytics say Thomas at his age and performance level is valued at, say, at least a second-round pick and a team offers a one, the analytics folks would favor the trade.

No coach, though, is going to go along with losing his standout left tackle. A coach wants a guy like Thomas on his team, a guy who can be counted on every single down. Coaches love players like Joe Thomas.

If there is a difference in opinion within the Browns' structure, Brown, the team's director of football operations, breaks the tie.

The idea is for all to work together, for the coach and GM and Brown and DePodesta to hash it out and come to an agreement on what is best.

But if the coach favors keeping Thomas and the analytics folks favor trading him and he is traded, that sets up potential conflict and also highlights the main concern about the Browns' structure as they search for a new coach.

This is all hypothetical, of course.

The new front-office folks could get along famously.

Thomas may be thrilled with the new coach and decide to stay. He may even rethink the idea of leaving the only team that drafted him.

But he seemed extremely distressed after the final game, and the possibility is there that he may ask out.

If he does, the ripple effect will be strong, and felt in many, many ways.