Browns GM Andrew Berry continues to create salary cap space for future use
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Takeaways from Browns training camp Day 16 …
Another day, another salary restructure for a Browns player, resulting in even more salary cap space for the team in 2023.
After restructuring contracts for guard Joel Bitonio and defensive end Myles Garrett, the Browns did the same with tight end David Njoku, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
Those restructurings are not give-backs by the players. They essentially receive what’s due them through a larger cash bonus and reduced base salary. These accounting measures reduce the players’ salary cap numbers. It takes an owner willing to dole out the cash bonuses to make this happen, and Jimmy Haslam has been all for it.
Effectively, the Browns reduced Bitonio’s cap number by $7.868 million, Garrett’s by $12.868 million and Njoku’s by $2.736 million. The total cap reduction of $23.42 million increased the Browns’ 2023 salary cap space to approximately $37.5 million – which is about 50 percent more than second-place Arizona.
The Browns have sent out vibes that they are merely managing their cap for 2024 and beyond and are not laying the groundwork for a major transaction.
The increased cap room, however, gives the Browns the flexibility to extend the contracts of two players who can be free agents after this season -- safety Grant Delpit and receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.
What about Chubb?
Running back Nick Chubb is signed through 2024. The final year of Chubb’s $36.6 million three-year extension signed in 2021 ups his base salary to $11.775 million and his salary cap number to $16.2 million.
The Browns can reduce that number by tacking on a short-term, multi-year extension.But Chubb said on Tuesday that “I haven’t heard anything” about a contract extension.
The national trend has been for accomplished running backs to take severely reduced deals with new teams (e.g. Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook) or engage in contract squabbles with their existing teams (e.g. Saquon Barkley, Austin Ekeler, Josh Jacobs, and Jonathan Taylor, who recently was granted permission by the Colts to seek a trade).
The Browns have treated Chubb differently.
At the beginning of training camp at The Greenbrier in West Virginia, GM Andrew Berry said, “When we made our [contract extension] decision at running back, we felt like we had a superstar at the position who embodied everything that we wanted within the organization, so we didn’t overthink it. It is Nick Chubb, right? So for us, it was a pretty straightforward decision because those difference makers are hard to find.
“Nick Chubb is the type of player and person that you hope is with the organization as long as possible.”
An extension for Chubb – rather than an exit after 2024 – seems more likely because his designated heir-apparent, Jerome Ford, has been saddled with a hamstring injury since August 8 and has yet to prove he is a worthy replacement.
Nick Chubb said he hasn't heard anything about a possible contract extension from the Browns. (TheLandOnDemand)
More Chubb
Although Kevin Stefanski fell short of ruling out Chubb for the final preseason game against the Chiefs, it’s been obvious in practices this week that the Browns are preparing Jordan Wilkins for the starting assignment with the No. 1 offense in Kansas City. Wilkins has a chance to earn a roster spot as RB3 behind Chubb and Ford ahead of Demetric Felton, John Kelly and Hassan Hall.
Chubb is cool with the team’s bubble-wrap approach and not appearing in any of the team’s four preseason games.
“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “Whatever they want me to do, I’m willing to do it. Haven’t played in one [preseason game] since a lot of years ago, so it’s not my decision, but I’m ready to do whatever it takes.”
Running backs coach Stump Mitchell has previously said that the plan is for Chubb to play on third downs this season. In the past, Kareem Hunt would come in on third downs as a receiving back. The plan includes Ford, when healthy, to relieve Chubb during games but also play on all three downs when he’s in the game.
“Last year I was just mostly [playing] first [and] second down, so I kind of gave them an idea of what we’re going to do. But hopefully this year will be different with me doing more things,” Chubb said.
As for Wilkins, who could play himself into an unexpected role with a good outing in Kansas City, Chubb said, “He’s just very experienced. He came in, he knew the playbook almost immediately. He’s very smart. He makes great plays, good reads, and he’s a great guy.”
Brownie bits
Developments in the battles for the last receiver roster spots: David Bell and Austin Watkins made “wow” catches at practice. Anthony Schwartz had a wrap on his left leg and did not practice. Jakeem Grant took some reps at receiver in team periods and all reps at punt returner …
Linebackers Anthony Walker and Sione Takitaki took reps with the No. 1 nickel defense in a 7 on 7 period and also some reps in a team period. They appear on schedule to receive their first preseason play time of the summer in Kansas City. That would be the next-to-last hurdle in being available for the season-opener against Cincinnati. The final hurdle would be a event-less 10 days of practice leading up to the September 10 opener ...
There was no team field goal period, but embattled kicker Cade York took several reps kicking field goals on his own with a tee and with the placement team. Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone used his phone to record York during these individual sessions.
