First-year Browns GM Andrew Berry has a busy offseason ahead. (Baltimore Sun)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Takeaways from Andrew Berry’s season-ending Zoom conference …
1.A week ago Andrew Berry lauded Kevin Stefanski for being “unflappable.” Berry can hold his own in that category, also. The young GM shed little light on major business decisions looming on possible contract extensions for Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb and Denzel Ward. He did say the goal is to be aggressive and proactive in re-signing its best players before they enter their final contract years. He wants to emulate the best teams, such as the Chiefs, who invested last year in contract extensions rather than in new acquisitions. “That being said, I do not think anything precludes us from adding external talent if it is appropriate,” Berry said. “At times, maybe we will have to be creative with our contract structuring or our sequencing, but that is certainly something that we are up to the task to do.”
2.The worst secret in town is that the Browns will soon have to launch talks for a new contract for Mayfield. Any uncertainty about Mayfield’s future was cleared up when he led the team to its first playoff berth since the 2002 season and then posted the first Browns win over the Steelers in Heinz Field since 2003. Berry is not going to negotiate in the media or even confirm to the media that he intends to negotiate. But there is no mincing of words in the Browns’ feelings about Mayfield after the quarterback, Stefanski and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt developed a productive relationship in their first season together. “He did an excellent job this year,” Berry said of Mayfield. “He led us to our first playoff appearance in eons. We got 12 wins, played winning football all year, developed a really strong relationship with Kevin and the offensive staff and … he really thrives on a weekly basis both on and off the field. We are very, very pleased with him. We would not be where we were at the end of the season without his performance. He had a really tremendous season.”
3.There was one obvious hint from Berry about a timetable for a new contract. “It was really the same trajectory with Myles [Garrett],” Berry said. “Obviously, we did his deal in the summer, but it is not something that I really felt comfortable talking through really into the offseason. I just do not think it is the right forum. We are very pleased with Baker.” The Browns picked up Garrett’s fifth-year option in May and then signed him in July to a five-year extension for $125 million. Until further notice, we can assume the same procedure for Mayfield – fifth-year option in May and then a new deal before training camp. The final numbers will be much different, however. There were five new deals signed by big-name quarterbacks in 2020. Patrick Mahomes, the only one of the five to win a Super Bowl, received an American sports-record $450 million over 10 years. More applicable to Mayfield was the next-highest deal signed by Houston’s DeShaun Watson – four years for $156 million. Watson had a post-season record of 1-2 at time of signing. Mayfield now is 1-1. He should eclipse Watson’s $39 million yearly average.
4.As for Ward and Chubb, Berry said, “I would like to keep as many of our good players as long as possible. That is probably the easiest way to say it. Those guys are highly skilled at what they do, and they are great people.” Ward, picked fourth overall in 2018, no doubt will received the fifth-year option in May, also. The Browns conceivably could wait until 2022 for a new deal for him. Chubb, however, has not fifth-year option because he was taken in the second round. He’ll be entering the last year of his rookie contract in 2021 and for that reason may be the next priority. On Monday, Chubb said, “I am just still thinking about [the divisional playoff loss to the Chiefs] and not really looking forward to that stuff right now. Just continuing to work. It will pay off for me eventually and we will see.” On Wednesday, Ward said, “Stuff is going to take care of itself with all of that. My main goal is winning.” Their comments are further proof of the culture change instituted by Berry and Stefanski.
5.Besides contract extensions, Berry and his staff have to make decisions on 25 players whose contracts expire. Eighteen of them can be unrestricted free agents. The big names in this category are defensive end Olivier Vernon, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, cornerbacks Terrance Mitchell and Kevin Johnson, linebackers B.J. Goodson and Malcolm Smith, safeties Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo, receiver Rashard Higgins and kicker Cody Parkey. Receiver KhaDarel Hodge will be a restricted free agent and could be retained with a one-year tender that would be a huge pay raise for him.
6.At the same time, the league salary cap is expected to drop from last year’s $198 million per team. Per agreement with the players union, it can not go lower than $175 million. Based on that figure, overthecap.com projected the Browns have about $24.6 million in cap space heading into the offseason. Berry said football operations will do a deep dive over the next couple weeks to create their offseason plan. He said a lower salary cap will play a role, obviously. But Berry didn’t seem fazed by the economic challenges confronted by any team on the rise. “I do not think the cap or really anything would preclude us from making any long-term commitments in any phase,” he said.
7.The other least-kept secret about the Browns’ offseason is the intent to invest in the defense. Berry said, “Understand that obviously we think we can certainly boost the defense as we go into 2021. It is probably too early to make any declarative or definitive statements, but certainly understand the strengths and weaknesses of the team.” Eight of the key players with expiring contracts had a combined total of 90 game starts on defense this year. It’s fair to assume that defensive line starters Vernon and Ogunjobi won’t be back. Vernon ended the season with a 12-month Achilles tendon injury and Ogunjobi sounds resigned/excited to explore free agency. On Wednesday, Ogunjobi said, “I love this city, I love the fans and I love being a Brown. At the same time once again, I understand the business aspect of it as far as making sure my family is straight and being in a position to set them up for an extremely long amount of time. Obviously, those all will weigh into it.”
8.Two players Berry seems counting on in 2021 are 2020 second-round safety Grant Delpit and 2019 second-round cornerback Greedy Williams, both of whom missed the entire 2020 season with injuries. “I am very optimistic and very bullish on their physical recovery and then ultimately, when they do get back, of being able to play at a high level for us,” Berry said. Add strong safety Ronnie Harrison into the mix as a big part of the future. Harrison was acquired in September and seemed to earn a spot in the team’s core group despite missing five games with injuries. “Ronnie played really well this year,” Berry said. Ronnie is 23 years old and probably turns 24 in the offseason … we were excited with what we saw out of Ronnie’s performance this year.”
9.You don’t find many holes in the Browns’ offense, other than at backup positions on the offensive line. The loss in Kansas City did expose the need for a receiver to stretch defenses vertically. That’s where Odell Beckham Jr. comes in. Berry reported that Beckham’s recovery from ACL surgery in November “is going really well. He has done a nice job. He looks great. He is in a good mental spot.” Berry doesn’t buy the notion that Mayfield’s stunning turnaround on the field was a consequence of Beckham not being out there. “I do think that there is an element of our offense [that] just evolved over the course of the year,” Berry said. “Part of that is just chemistry, time on task, or you name it. That is really independent of Odell. I have said it multiple times, Odell is a good football player. He acclimated nicely with our program, with Kevin and with his teammates. Quite honestly, I just want as many good football players on the roster as possible. He is dynamic.”