It's time for GM Andrew Berry to go to work on the Browns' 2024 roster. (TheLandOnDemand)
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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.
Having NFL withdrawal in the 10 days since Super Bowl 58, the last NFL game for six months?
Fear not. The inaptly named NFL offseason is upon us.
This is the time of year when GM Andrew Berry and his staff take over for HC Kevin Stefanski and his staff. Berry builds the roster through July, then Stefanski builds the team.
There’s a difference. Berry does his work without a scoreboard hovering above his every move.
A week from Tuesday, the staffs of both men converge in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine. It’s the coaches’ first exposure to the year’s draft-eligible players. At the same time, Berry will conduct business with agents of veteran players to restructure or negotiate new contracts and with other GMs to plant the seeds of future trades.
At his 2023 season-ending press conference on January 22, Berry set the agenda for what will be his fifth “offseason” as Browns GM.
“We look at everything that we did A to Z, on the field, off the field, with the goal of improvement,” Berry said. “And it’s really not just improvement, but positioning the organization in a way where we can have our first home playoff game in 29 years, where we can consistently produce playoff teams and deep runs. And ultimately the goal is to bring the franchise its first Super Bowl.
“So, all the decisions moving forward will be with that goal in mind. And at times that may lead to hard and uncomfortable decisions, but everything will be with that mindset for improvement.
“And it’s because we know that our fans will appreciate it. We owe it to our fans, we owe it to the city. We owe it to the players, coaches and staff in the organization. That’s really our fiduciary responsibility.”
Let’s look at the important dates ahead.
February 20 through March 5: Teams may designate franchise or transition players.
The Browns have no urgent impending free agent worthy of tagging as a franchise or transition player. The last player they tagged was center Alex Mack (transition) in 2014.
February 27 through March 4: NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, IN.
This will be the next press availability for Berry and Stefanski.
March 11: Teams permitted to negotiate with unrestricted free agents.
Although deals can’t be officially consummated, teams jump on this day to get first in line for the all-important first wave of free agents.
March 13: New league year and free agency signing period begins.
Teams must be under the 2024 salary cap by this day. This results in a flurry of player cuts and contract restructuring in the days leading up to it. As of today, the Browns are about $20.5 million OVER the projected salary cap, according to spotrac.com. Berry will get comfortably under the cap by restructuring a few contracts and cutting other players. Last month, Berry said he will be able to conduct business as usual at the appropriate time. “That’s an area that we’re very confident in, and we view it as a strategic advantage for us and we’ll continue to operate in a way that allows us to maximize the team,” Berry said.
March 24 through March 27: Annual league meetings; Orlando, FL.
This is the next time owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam are likely to address their stadium plans. They have not spoken on the NEOTrans blog report that Haslam Sports Group is seeking to purchase 176 acres of land in Brook Park adjacent to the airport and near their headquarters campus in Berea.
April 15: Clubs with returning head coaches can begin offseason workout programs.
Phase 1 of the program is two weeks of strength and conditioning. Phase 2 involves individual work on the field, which would be the first opportunity for Watson to throw under team supervision since undergoing shoulder surgery on November 21.
April 19: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
April 24: Deadline for clubs to test, visit, interview with draft-eligible players.
April 25-27: NFL draft in Detroit, MI.
The Browns own the following seven picks in this year’s draft:
Round 2: 54th overall.
Round 3: 85th overall.
Round 5: 135th overall, acquired from Carolina (for Baker Mayfield).
Round 5: 155th overall, acquired from Arizona (for Josh Dobbs).
Round 6: 205th overall, acquired from Houston (Watson trade).
Round 6: 208th overall, acquired from Baltimore (for 229th pick in 2023).
Round 7: 228th overall, acquired from Atlanta (for 2024 6th round pick and Deion Jones).
May 2: Deadline to exercise fifth-year option for players selected in first round in 2021 draft.
The Browns have to decide whether to pick up Greg Newsome’s fifth-year option in 2025. The value for Newsome’s 2025 salary would be $12.166 million and it becomes fully guaranteed immediately. Other Browns options would be: 1. let the option pass and have Newsome play in 2024 for his fourth-year salary of about $2.4 million and then be a free agent; 2. trade him; or 3. negotiate a multi-year deal that would lower that 2025 salary cap number.
May 3-6 or May 10-13: Teams may hold rookie minicamps.