Some may think that Week 8 of an NFL season is too soon to start talking about next year and you're probably right. But, from what I can piece together (and by no means am I an expert), decisions made in the 2022 season could have a major impact on next year. We're all aware of the contract extensions handed out over the past 2 to 3 years: To name a few, Myles Garrett (signed 2020), Joel Bitonio (signed 2021) Wyatt Teller (signed 2021) Nick Chubb (signed 2021) Denzel Ward (signed 2022) David Njoku (signed 2022) Add to that the massive contract given to Deshawn Watson and the draft capital that was included in the trade for him, and you will discover that the Browns will start the 2023 league year about $30M OVER the cap. And that's assuming the league cap actually increases to the projected cap of $225M. Now add in another $14M in "Dead Money" (includes $6,400,00 for Jadeveon Clowney left over from last year's contract) and now we're about $44M over the cap. That doesn't include any money to pay the 8 draft picks we still own. Right now, we're about $33M UNDER the cap. IF we don't spend another penny in the 2022 season (unlikely), theoretically we could roll most (or all) of this over to next year. That would still put us at about $11M OVER the cap and still doesn't account for any draft picks. But . . . we have only 42 players currently under contract for next year. You tell me - what would you do to resolve this ?
All those contracts were fine until they went and traded for Watson. The question becomes does Watson really want to win or just sink teams by sucking up all their salary cap? He crapped out Houston’s cap too. At least they will be clear of his numbers.
Trading two of the players on the list would seem to fix it, but the salary cap hit for their signing bonuses would probably kill the cap even worse. What was your ownership thinking when they did the Watson deal? Looks like cap hell is upon the Browns. I don’t know how to answer the question to tell you the truth Lyman. If you cut two or three players on that list you really hurt the team. I apologize for your ownership, you guys waited too long for the team to become relevant and then the owner does this to them.
Hire a massage therapist for watson whenshe files charges against him void his contract and recoup the bonus he was already paid.
Garrett and Chubb are probably the most likely chips. I’d have to look at Nick’s contact later today, but I know Garrett’s doesn’t flip positive till post June 1 in 2023.
Berry has to be warm being crushed between a rock and a hard place, but there is hope if he is brave... obviously some sacrifices are going to have to be made because of the Watson contract and he knew this, so its going to take tough business decisions to get it right. The 1st one to consider (sacrificial lamb) is Joel Haeg (Cap Hit: $2.5 million) - The Browns signed Joe Haeg to a three-year deal worth $7.5 million despite seeing James Hudson improve as a blocker. They have yet to use Haeg but he still has a cap hit of $2.5 million for 2023. As long as Cleveland believes Hudson can start — it’s rather unlikely they retain Jack Conklin who is scheduled for free agency — they might decide Haeg can be replaced at a lower rate. The one good thing in this situation is that his contract is written in a way they can save the majority of that hit with $2 million in savings and just $500,000 in dead money whether he’s a pre or post-June 1 release. Secondly and thanks to FANSIDED... - Jakeem Grant, Returner/Wide Receiver ... Cap Hit: $3.56 million Pre-June 1: $2.2 Million Savings, $1.33 million Dead Money Post-June 1: $2.9 million Savings, $666,666 Dead Money It would be tough to lose Jakeem Grant before he ever plays in a game for the Browns, but with the way his contract is constructed, the front office could save a lot of money by moving on. Grant was added to bring some credibility to their return game and he’s been one of the best in the business in that department. In six seasons in the league, he has 1,228 yards and four touchdowns on punt returns. He’s also amassed 2,699 yards and two touchdowns on kick returns. Cleveland has been desperate for someone who can make an impact on their special teams but if they don’t have any other way to lower the cap, or if they’re not sold he can return to form from his Achilles injury, Grant could be a casualty. Of course, there was some belief he could be used more at wide receiver this season than he has in his career — and with the depth concerns Cleveland has there, it would have been very welcome. Having said all that, he’s going to be 30 years old in October and could clear between $2.2 million to $2.9 million depending on when he’s designated for release. Then there is, Deion Jones, Linebacker - Cap Hit: $13.14 million Per FANSIDED - Sure, he has yet to even take a snap, but there’s still no guarantee Deion Jones will be with the Browns in 2023. For his first few seasons as general manager, Andrew Berry has gone out of his way to avoid paying big money to linebackers. He let Joe Schobert walk despite his status as a fan-favorite and has plugged in players such as Anthony Walker and Malcolm Smith. Now with Walker out for the season, he suddenly pulled the trigger on Jones, a former Pro Bowler with a massive price tag. However, Berry didn’t take on the entire salary. Not only do the Falcons have a $12.14 million hit this season compared to a $1.39 base for Cleveland, but he’s also owed no guaranteed money from the Browns in 2023. That means they can free up his entire $13.14 million cap hit by moving on from him. While it’s true Jones could blow the front office away and convince them he should stay, they could just as easily save that money, bring back Walker for a fraction of that, and still have a lot more flexibility. Teams haven’t been shy in recent seasons when it comes to renting players for a season, and the Browns might do just that with Jones. _______ ________________ Obviously i had help via the WWW, but what I gleaned is this... even tho a player is a fan favorite, most of them are not written in stone to remain on the Browns roster. The only 2 'untouchables I see on your list, Lyman, are Myles Garrett and Nick Chubb. The rest must be, unfortunately, considered in the 2023 campaign as possible movers because of the current and upcoming situations. The Browns have no choice frankly, but to off a handful of players even if they are fan favs or good performers, no two ways about it. Berry is going to have to go 'contract restructure' mode crazy also... seems to me some folks are going to have to bend if they want to stay on the Browns. The David Njoku contract must be addressed in my opinion. Kareem Hunt wanted out earlier, iirc, so there may be others who could get dealt which might help relieve the Cap hell the Browns are in, but its all over my head personally. I was interested in these thread's subject title, because of curiousity on what the Browns will do and to gain a better understanding on what can be done in this situation, which a few teams face. Contract work and Cap crunching is still 'greek' to me and id like to change that, little by little. One thing for sure, Berry is going to have to be a magician and a stand alone GM who may lose his place on some Christmas card list's, but he should be able to work it out. Lets hope so for Browns nation. Thats my half-assed way of attempting to contribute to this thread. I look forward to seeing some more input by L4SN peeps with an insight as to these kind of issues... I might just learn something.
I know it doesn't answer Lyman's original question but i've gotta say it is absolutely shocking how crippling Watson's $55MIL cap hit is to next year. The Browns cap situation is totally manageable without that. Personally from the players listed i would do everything possible to hold on to Garrett and Chubb. I know Chubb plays what is perceived as an eminently replaceable position, but the guy is just a fucking stud and it would kill to have to let him go. He's that good. Looking at the roster there are few easy options. The Browns to me were doing such a good job of building their roster over the last several years then fucking Watson happened. I liked Jakeem Grant with the Bears, he's a v good returner and does give you something in the short area passing game. But he's as good as gone now. That G Will mentioned, gone. Hell the Punter will save you $1.6mil next season. Do you like Grant Delphit? He's only got 1 year left(2023) so if yes you'll have to extend him soon. If you don't like him there's $1.6mil in savings there(i know very little about Delphit hasnt he been injured a lot?) But it all feels like fiddling around the edges. Unless they pull out some Saints level cap sorcery(which the Bears tried and are in cap hell this season because of it) they're gonna have to try and trade someone with a hefty cap hit. Do dead cap hits still apply after you trade the player or does the whole contract go with them? Or does it depend deal to deal depending on structure? If its doable then one of the G's probably has to go. How much do you like John Johnson? He carries a big ass cap hit for a S, hard to imagine getting big draft picks in light of that, but if it clears cap space?....
The first thing that jumps out at me is the Browns only have 42 players under contract for 2023. That's 11 players shy of a 53 man roster. Due to the cap situation, its unrealistic to think they will fill those 11 spots via free agency. That leaves the draft. But the Browns only have 8 draft picks (assuming they get a 3rd rd comp pick). Don't break what ain't broken. The Browns currently have their 2022 week 1 starting O-line under contract for 2023 and they're 2 deep at each position except right tackle. (NOTE: LT Wills and RT Conklin are on the final year of their contracts. Wills is eligible for his 5th year option.) These guys will get a taste of pass blocking for a mobile QB in the final 6 games of 2022 which should make life somewhat easier for them. Perhaps easy enough for Bitonio and Teller to agree to restructure their contracts to some extent. Nick Chubb ain't going anywhere. His backup, Jerome Ford, looked okay in limited action and there's Demetric Felton available, as well. I personally think Felton is better suited as a slot receiver but he has been used as a RB. If it were me - Kareem Hunt and Greedy Williams would already be on the trade block. Each of them should fetch a 4th, 5th or 6th round pick. Obviously I would take more, if offered. This does two things. Their pro-rated salary cap hits would be added to the 2022 rollover amount available (approx $7.5M) and it adds,at least 2 draft picks in 2023. Next, after this season, Release: Deion Jones, MLB. Cap Hit = $13,135,734 / Dead Money = $0 Cap Save = $13,135,734 Grant Delpit, SS. Cap Hit = $2,375,247 / Dead Money = $747,284 Cap Save = $1,627,963 Jakeem Grant, WR Cap Hit = $3,561,666 / Dead Money = $1,333,334 Cap Save = $2,228,332 Anthony Schwartz, WR Cap Hit = $1,326,280 / Dead Money = $448,372 Cap Save = $877,908 (Not big money. He just can't catch a ball) Those four cuts total $17,869,937.plus the added $7,500,000 in pro-rated cap hits (Hunt & Williams) = $25,369,937 -> $14M UNDER the cap.
Now that I have all this cap space There's a couple of holes I need to fix. By cutting Delpit, I no longer have a Strong Safety on the roster. IMHO, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah isn't a very good WLB. He's very quick and can cover the field sideline to sideline. But, he's a tad on the small side and gets tied up in the mosh pit when our shitty defensive tackles get blown backward. I think he would fare much better at Strong Safety. His backup WLB, Tony Fields could take his place, for now. Laugh all you want at Long Snappers, but everyone needs one and there isn't one on the roster. Solution: sign the existing LS, Charley Hughlett to a contract extension. Guessing a cap hit of $1.5M
Just one, honestly. The Houston Texans desperately need a quarterback and have a lot of first round picks. You could try trading the suspended QB on the roster now there for two one's this year, one in 2023, and another in 2024? The two this year are looking like Top 5 picks for each, which would be enough to rebuild the QB and WR positions ahead of 2023. C.J. Stroud (#1) and Quinten Johnston (#5) would be clutch. Then, you'd have the two highest paid positions in the NFL on rookie deals for five seasons which would be enough to build a championship roster around. But I'm just an armchair GM and not someone who gets paid millions of dollars to do this.
If traded, the guaranteed salary (dead cap if still owed) moves with the player, so it's 100% relief through trade. That's why a lot of teams have to re-structure deals before trades to convert that guaranteed money into a one-time signing bonus to make the team trading for said player more likely to go through with the transaction.
The Browns without Nick Chubb are a 1-16 football team... he cannot go anywhere. Myles Garrett makes the most sense in a trade. As you noted, Tim, the contract isn't really forgiving for release/restructure until 2023. So if you trade him somewhere, another team can assume that burden and he's one of the few players that would net a pretty sizeable haul in return value. I can see the Khalil Mack (Raiders > Bears trade) being a benchmark for that. Would definitely help to ease the cap and secure a few assets to help build the roster with affordable rookie contracts. The issue here is you now need a 100% turnover on the defensive line. Amari Cooper is the other piece. He's got a $23 million cap (7th highest) hit and while he's the clear-cut WR1 on the team, he's on pace for 83 receptions, 1,175 yards, and 10-11 TDs (good numbers but outside the Top 10). Again, I think this move only becomes viable if you can move Myles Garrett to replace the output. Realistically, Cooper's cap is so high that the Browns will have to do a similar move to when Dallas traded him to Cleveland - take a 5th or 6th to move the contract. His cap hit from 2023 - 2026 is nearly $60 million and he's due $34 million of his guarantees still -- I suppose a restructure is possible, but with cash already tight, turning that $34 million into an up-front would be costly. What they would probably have to do is just add dead years onto the end of the deal to lessen the blow. Lastly, John Johnson III, who is not playing up to his deal could be traded, too. Cannot be cut, as his dead cap eats almost his entire cap, so probably letting him go for a Day 3 pick. Those three moves could clear $66.5 million in cap space, more than enough to cover for the QB, and bring back a 2023 first round selection, 2024 first round selection (may require Cleveland to send something over, like the Mack deal), a two or three R4-R7 picks in 2023 as well. Then, the newly acquired first would 100% have to be used on a wide receiver.
I’ve been wondering lately if there was anything that prevents the Browns from restructuring Watson’s contract on an annual basis to convert everything over the vet minimum into bonuses. I’m no cap wizz, but it was my impression that doing so would bypass the cap. Hi all
This is doable, but not reasonable beyond the first year really. His base salary in every season beyond this one is $46M. His signing bonus cap hit every year currently sits at 8.993M, making his annual cap hit total in 2023-2026 is $54.993M. Now, break this down to your idea of restructuring his deal annually to a minimum salary with the rest converted to signing bonus. Let's make his salary in 2023 $1M for ease of concept instead of the vet minimum. That would convert $45M to signing bonus, which would then be spread over the remaining 4 years of the deal. That would make his 2023 cap hit $21.243M ($1M salary, $11.25M new bonus, $8.993M old bonus). Sounds good right? Just saved over $30M on the 2023 cap!! Well done! However, now you are adding that $11.25M in new bonus money to the future years as well. So in 2024-26, his cap hit is now $66.243M!! Well, lets just do the same again!!...convert $45M to signing bonus...and now his cap hit in 2024 is $36.243M ($1M salary, $15M new bonus, $11.25M previous year bonus, $8.993M original bonus) but now, those last two years become a complete bloody nightmare! He would basically count for over $80M per year with no way to stop that bleeding! The money is all 100% guaranteed so releasing him doesn't do anything to lower his cap numbers. The smart thing to do...and this is always a questionable way to presume the Browns front office will act...would be to just take his cap hit on the chin every year. They really aren't in terrible shape, as bad as it looks at first glance, in 2023. The carryover from this year will offset most of their current negatives. Restructuring or extending of players like Myles Garrett, Wyatt Teller, Joel Bitonio and Amari Cooper, or their release in some cases, can open up enough cap space to field a competitive team assuming Watson returns to his prime form. They will have to hit on some later round picks to maintain the talent pool during those future years, but that's true of any team paying a franchise caliber QB. The Browns situation is not an ideal one because they had to give up so much draft capital (which is the cheap labour teams utilize while paying these huge QB salaries) but it's at least possible if they are smart with their remaining money and draft picks. Add to that the continued increase of the salary cap and, by default, the lowering of Deshaun's percentage impace on the cap, and it's possible they could squeek out of this with a competitive team over the next few years. Of course, if Deshaun never returns to his form of 2 years ago, then it will get really ugly really quickly!! haha
Thank you for such a detailed response! That covers a lot that I didn’t know. I honestly thought that paying cash bonuses would skirt the ramifications of the cap. I appreciate the time you took to answer.
