4 Potential Cap Casualties For Browns This Offseason
The NFL offseason always is where the business side of the game takes center stage, as general managers are forced to make tough decisions while constructing their team for the upcoming season.
Browns executive VP of football operations Andrew Berry certainly faces plenty of tough decisions in the months ahead. One of the first levers at his disposal will be moving on from players considered "cap casualties." A cap casualty is essentially player who is cut, not necessarily because he isn't still a productive player, but because the financial benefit for the team by moving on from said player outweighs his on-field production.
Here are four potential cap casualties for the Browns in 2024:
1) RB, Nick Chubb
Just the mention of Nick Chubb on this list will be highly controversial for Browns fans, but it's impossible to ignore the salary cap relief that would come from moving on from Chubb. In fact, the only player that if released could provide more cap savings next season than Chubb, is another offensive star in Amari Cooper.
In 2024, Chubb is on the books for $15.8 million but the majority of that is a base salary figure of $11.7 million. If Cleveland were to cut Chubb, they'd be forced to absorb a dead cap figure of $4 million from any outstanding bonus money in the contract, while saving a whopping $11.8 million. That would be a useful chunk of change for a Browns team trying to navigate a pricey roster to stay competitive.
2) TE, Jordan Akins
Akins was brought in via free agency last offeason on a short, two-year deal worth $3.9 million. His familiarity with Deshaun Watson, having played with him in Houston played a major role in why Cleveland was interested in him in the first place. That experience became less valuable when Deshaun missed all but six games with due to different shoulder injuries.
The 31-year-old played just 19-percent of the Browns offensive snaps this year, making 15 catches for 132 yards. Akins is scheduled to make $2.3 million next season, but a release at the start of the new league year would give Berry an additional $2 to work with.
3) WR, Elijah Moore
Moore had an up and down season after coming over to Cleveland from the Jets via a trade in late March. There were massive expectations heaped on him almost immediately as the Browns unveiled an Elijah Moore package during training camp. The on the field output just never seemed to materialize though, especially when Watson was under center, as the 2021 second-round pick caught just two touchdowns all season.
There's no guarantee Berry and company want to move on from Moore after giving up a second round pick of their own to acquire him. Doing so, however, would save Cleveland nearly $1.9 million with no dead cap hit in 2024.
4) K, Dustin Hopkins
It seems more likely that the Browns would be more inclined to keep Hopkins around considering the incredible season he had, knocking in 33-34 field goals, including going eight-for-eight from 50-plus range.
However, there aren't too many potential cap casualties that would net the saving Hopkins would. Releasing the 33-year-old would free up $3 million in cap space with no dead cap hit. Ultimately, the Browns probably don't want to create a problem they've solved by simply parting ways with the first competent kicker they've had since Phil Dawson, but releasing him to save the money before re-signing him could be in play. So too could be a simple extension with a restructure.
