Despite a season-ending injury to Nick Chubb and playing five different quarterbacks, the Cleveland Browns finished 11-6 and advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2021 and only the second time in the previous 22 seasons.
The good news for the franchise is that there aren’t many notable exits this summer. Unfortunately, Cleveland enters the summer $20.6 million over the 2024 salary ceiling, and it will require significant cost-cutting to get below that threshold before the season begins. As the Browns prepare to make some painful decisions this offseason, here are four cut prospects.
Elijah Moore (wide receiver)
Elijah Moore’s contract for the 2024 NFL season is a reasonable $1.8 million, but his unclear future in Cleveland could lead to an early departure. Moore is in the final year of his rookie contract with the New York Jets and will earn a sizable salary on the free agent market next season. The Browns presently have the NFL’s sixth-lowest cap space for 2024, and if they decide Moore is expendable, he might become a cap casualty.
Moore had 59 receptions for 640 yards in 2023, but his catch percentage of 56.7% was among the lowest in the league. Elijah Moore’s productivity is easily replaced, making him a cut possibility this summer.
Nick Chubb (Running back)
Nick Chubb has been one of the most effective rushers in recent years. The Browns running back averaged more than 90 rushing yards per game between 2019 and 2022 until suffering a severe leg injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season. Chubb is expected to return sometime in 2024, but is Cleveland willing to take that risk?
Chubb is entering his seventh NFL season and is in the final year of his deal. The Browns owe their star running back $15.8 million in 2024 but would incur only $4 million in dead money if they choose to remove Chubb. This move would not please Browns supporters, but given his injuries and the team’s salary limit position, keeping Nick Chubb is a greater risk than releasing him.
Amari Cooper (wide receiver)
If the Browns elect to keep Chubb, they will have to find other methods to clear cap space. Unfortunately, this involves a trade-off between saving money and losing talented athletes. Wide receiver Amari Cooper is coming off the most productive season of his career in 2024, catching 72 catches for 1,250 yards and five scores, earning him his first Pro Bowl selection since 2019 and sixth overall.
However, Cooper will be 30 years old when the 2024 season begins and has a cap hit of more over $23 million, the second-highest on the squad. Cutting Cooper after June 1 saves the team $20 million, leaving a little more than $3 million in dead cap this season. This decision would undoubtedly offend Browns fans, therefore cutting Nick Chubb is the more likely conclusion.
Joel Bitonio (guard)
These cuts do not become any easier. Amari Cooper’s release frees up nearly every dollar of cap space that Cleveland is currently using to stay in the red. Despite cutting Chubb, the franchise still faces a $5 million loss. The Browns have numerous salaries that exceed that amount in 2024, including four on the offensive line.
Cutting one of their experienced offensive linemen would get Cleveland under the cap while still leaving the team in good shape on the offensive front. Joel Bitinio is the group’s oldest player at 32, but he is also the most accomplished, having won six consecutive Pro Bowls. The Browns would save $6.5 million by releasing Bitonio after June 1, and they would bear less than half of his $12.1 million contract cost in 2024. Again, this is a difficult decision, but Cleveland must find methods to get under the cap.
United Airlines’ Super Bowl advertisement gives Cleveland Browns fans hope…sort of.
Cleveland, Ohio (WOIO) -United Airlines has produced regional advertising ahead of the Super Bowl, one of which expressly targets Cleveland Browns fans.
The ad featured a blood-pumping message from Emmy-winning actor Kyle Chandler, implying that ‘next year’ could be Cleveland’s year to make the big game.
The video addresses ambitious Browns supporters who may book a plane ticket to next season’s Super Bowl, before concluding with a “But just in case…” warning.
The ad’s purpose is to remind all United travelers that the airline discontinued change fees in 2020, which has saved passengers $2 billion.
But, before you believe the Cleveland pep address will be watched, and possibly criticized, by NFL fans all around the country, keep in mind that this is a regional event.
There is a basic ad aimed at all football fans, as well as specialized ads for Chicago, Denver, Houston, and Kansas City.
READ MORE……
Cleveland Browns’ Ken Dorsey Has Surprising Take on Deshaun Watson.
The Cleveland Browns are seeking to rescue their Deshaun Watson scenario by acquiring Ken Dorsey from the Buffalo Bills.
While injuries have prevented Watson from performing at the level that would have earned him a large salary, the Browns believe their decision to trade for the controversial quarterback was worthwhile.
Their newest offensive mastermind appears to be on board with leading a quarterback like Waston, even referring to him as a top-tier QB.
Ken Dorsey: Cleveland Browns’ Deshaun Watson is a ‘top’ quarterback.
During his inaugural press conference, Dorsey discussed the Cleveland Browns offense and his objectives for the team. He was particularly excited about the opportunity to lead Watson, whom he described as a quality quarterback capable of changing the course of a game.
According to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk, Dorsey had the following thoughts on the quarterback:
Ezoic
“I’m extremely excited to work with this offense, especially Deshaun and him being one of the top quarterbacks in this league, the opportunity to really go out there this season and help him prove that he really is that — a top quarterback in this league that can operate and help us win a bunch of football games,” Dorsey said in a statement. “So, I’m super excited about that opportunity and really looking forward to this challenge.”
Deshaun Watson has been an excellent quarterback for the Browns when he is healthy enough to play. In six games for the Dawg Pound this season, the Clemson product passed for 1115 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions. A shoulder injury sustained during Week 10 sidelined him for the balance of the season.
Watson’s health is gradually becoming a huge concern for the Browns organization, as they have been unable to harness his talents for two consecutive seasons. Kevin Stefanski performed a mini miracle with Joe Flacco behind center, but he still requires his franchise quarterback to be ready when needed. Watson has been anything but prepared when it comes to his health status.
The 2024 season will reveal whether the Cleveland Browns were correct in trading what turned out to be CJ Stroud for Watson. They’ll be hoping Dorsey has what it takes to relaunch his career.
