Browns GM Andrew Berry explained the 3-year contract extension for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy as a proactive move rather than wait for the receiver market to continue to skyrocket. (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
ORLANDO, FL
Takeaways from Andrew Berry interview session at NFL owners meetings …
Nick Chubb always keeps a low profile, so it’s no surprise that his recovery from multiple knee surgeries would be overshadowed by Deshaun Watson’s recovery from shoulder surgery.
Now, GM Andrew Berry has lifted the curtain on Chubb’s progress.
Chubb had surgery on his left knee on September 30 to repair the medial collateral ligament and meniscus. He had a second surgery on November 14 to repair the anterior cruciate ligament.
Chubb has been diligently following a rehab regimen to strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee. Berry said he is expected to begin running and sprinting for the first time later this month.
Chubb has been striving to return to the field in September. That may be optimistic.
“I think the next three months will be pretty telling in terms of his potential readiness for early in the season,” Berry said. “We are going to be conservative in terms of our approach in our assessment with building the roster because he is coming off a major knee injury. But I do have to give him a lot of credit. He's done a really, really nice job.”
Berry added veteran free agents D’Onta Foreman and Nyheim Hines to join Chubb, Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong in the running back room. Berry said Foreman is seen as a short-yardage replacement for Kareem Hunt and Hines is mostly a kick returner and receiving back.
The Browns still view Ford and Strong as their top two backs until Chubb’s return.
Berry declined to update any efforts to restructure Chubb’s contract. He is due to make $11.8 million with no guarantees and a cap charge of $15.8 million in 2024 – the last year of his contract. Those figures are high for a back playing fewer than a full season, so a restructure or extension seem inevitable.
“I meant what I said at the Combine,” Berry said. “We do not want the injury in Pittsburgh to be his last snap as a Cleveland Brown.”
Jeudy’s new deal
Berry said the new three-year extension given newly acquired receiver Jerry Jeudy was a result of being “proactive” rather than “reactive” to future deals for top receivers.
The Browns inherited a $12.9 million 2024 salary in the trade with Denver. Berry promptly tacked on three more years at a maximum value of $52.5 million.
But there’s a window to get out after three years and $41 million in guarantees. So Jeudy’s average per year is about $14 million through that period. And the Browns reduced his cap figures to $4.7 million in 2024, $7.975 million in 2025 and $9.175 million in 2026. They did so by adding four void years, which means they’ll be assessed cap charges even after Jeudy’s deal runs out.
Berry felt pressed to extend Jeudy’s deal after new contracts given receivers Calvin Ridley (four years/$92 million, or two years/$48 million) and Michael Pittman (three years/$70 million, or two years/$46 million).
With Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase expected to set a new market high, Berry wanted to get Jeudy done now because he expects him to be a multi-year player for the Browns.
“Probably by the Week 1 of the NFL season, the top of that market’s going to be north of $30 million [per year],” Berry said. “So as we think of the contract management space, rather than be reactive to new market dynamics, we try to be proactive. More importantly, when we think about an extension or a signing, we think of where is the market going to be on September 1 as opposed to March 1.”
If Jeudy performs like Berry expects, he’ll be a bargin. If he performs like he did four years in Denver, he’ll be overpaid.
“We feel we have an individual who’s an elite separater, can play inside and outside, has produced in less than ideal circumstances and usage for various reasons in Denver. And we feel he complements our group real nicely,” Berry said.
Berry bits
Berry said he didn’t go into free agency thinking he would add two experienced backup quarterbacks, but when Tyler Huntley remained unsigned, he couldn’t resist adding him to the QB room with Watson, Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. “Quarterback’s the most important position. We wouldn’t stop acquiring offensive or defensive linemen. We wouldn’t do the same at quarterback,” he said …
On social media speculation that cornerback Greg Newsome might be traded prior to the team picking up his fifth-year option by May 2, Berry said, “I can't help what players come up in trading rumors. We have that every year, but we're pleased with Greg, anticipate him continuing to play a big role for us.” …
Besides Chubb, another player who might qualify for a short-term extension is receiver Amari Cooper, who’s in his last contract year at $20 million salary and $23.77 million cap. “Coop’s a Pro Bowl caliber receiver. He's played really well for us the past two years. He's a strong presence in the locker room. We love him. So players like that, you want to make sure that you can retain as long as possible and we’ll work through all of that at the appropriate times.
NFL bits
The Browns were one of 29 teams that approved the new hybrid kickoff rule. All details of the format will be ironed out by May, but it was approved for at least the coming season. It’s an earnest attempt to bring back kick returns, wipe out touchbacks and reduce injuries. It will look different but might be fun …
Berry's quest to have the trade deadline extended two weeks was denied. Owners opted to approve the Steelers' proposal to extend the deadline one week, the Tuesday after Week 9 ...
Commissioner Roger Goodell said he expects the Eagles’ opponent for the Friday night opening weekend game in Brazil to be announced in the next week. It’s down to the Browns and Packers. I’m told the team will be notified by Friday and a rep will travel to Sao Paulo on Monday to begin prep work. The Browns want the exposure of the first NFL game played on a Friday night in 50 years. It will be shown nationally on Peacock network …
The in-season series of Hard Knocks will feature a whole division this year, rather than just one team. Brian Rolapp, NFL VP, said the division to be featured will be announced “in the next month, or so.”