Contracts Browns Should Think About Eliminating in the 2024 Offseason
Rather than bringing in a ton of new players, the Cleveland Browns will be more concerned with salary limit compliance throughout the offseason.
According to Spotrac, Cleveland is currently $20 million over the salary cap, making it challenging for the team to let go of its biggest contracts.
If Cleveland wants to compete for a postseason berth, then key players like Deshaun Watson, Nick Chubb, Myles Garrett, and the majority of the offensive linemen must remain in Cleveland.This raises the possibility of cut players for some players in the second tier of the contract table.
The Browns’ roster depth for 2024 might be enhanced by a few experienced releases in addition to either a wise free-agency acquisition or wise draft selection. For the upcoming season, the Browns have committed little over $30 million to Garrett, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo.
Since Okoronkwo’s contract is the cheapest of the three, it will be the easiest to terminate in the summer.
If the Browns can’t restructure certain deals to become more compliant, the defensive end, who signed from the Houston Texans last summer, might become a salary cap casualty.In contrast to Garrett, Okoronkwo had a strong season, recording 4.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and eight quarterback hits.
While Watson’s contract has a significant financial commitment, the Browns may need to make some difficult budget concessions. Nevertheless, Watson would be a great addition to the team for a second season.In spite of setting a career high in receiving yards in 2023, Elijah Moore may find himself in a perilous predicament.
In the last year of his rookie deal with the New York Jets, Moore is expected to earn $1.8 million in 2024.
Moore may have been let go by the Browns in the offseason due to the terms of his contract.
Given its current cap position and the necessity to sign young players, like Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, to longer deals, Cleveland presumably won’t be able to afford Moore on a new deal.
Additionally, Moore’s departure date may be accelerated by the progress of David Bell and Cedric Tillman.
In 2024, the Browns might be confident with Amari Cooper, David Njoku, Bell, Tillman, and apossible top draft choice to reduce offensive costs.Due to his contract circumstances, Dan Ankins is a strong contender for termination.
This offseason, the backup tight end could opt out of his deal, which would result in $315,000 in dead cap money.
That would be less expensive than paying Akins $2.3 million a year to back Njoku and mostly assist with run-game blocking.
When Njoku is healthy, no tight end joining the Browns can expect to catch a ton of receptions, and even if Akins adds value with his blocking, the Browns might find it tough to retain him at his present price.
Cleveland may always search the undrafted free-agent talent pool or the draft to locate a player who fits theAkins’s position in 2023.
