After all the work Nick Chubb put in to get back on the field in 2024, he deserves the chance to complete his comeback in 2025. (Cleveland Browns)
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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.
On top of other more pressing headaches – the bloated salary cap situation, over $50 million in dead cap charges, Myles Garrett’s desire to seek greener pastures, and a total reconstruction of the quarterback room – the Browns have to decide what to do with 28 players from their 2024 roster whose contracts are up.
Yes, it’s going to be a very busy next 10 weeks for GM Andrew Berry.
Players can negotiate with their existing teams any time before the start of free agency on March 12. They can negotiate with other teams beginning March 10.
Of the 28 players with expiring contracts, 21 are unrestricted free agents, four are restricted free agents, and three are exclusive rights free agents
* The ERFAs are easy to take care of. They have accrued fewer than three NFL seasons and can be retained with minimum-salary contracts.
Players in this group are linebacker/special teams ace Winston Reid, tight end Blake Whiteheart, and defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour. I would expect the Browns to sign them all.
* The RFAs have three NFL seasons. They can sign with another team, but the Browns can reserve the right to match with a qualifying tender. If the Browns don’t match, they could receive a draft pick based on the player’s original entry into the NFL.
Players in this category are safety D’Anthony Bell, edge rusher James Houston, running back John Kelly, and quarterback Bailey Zappe. Bell could be the one keeper. He’s the main backup to Grant Delpit and a core player on special teams (85% of the total snaps last year).
* The UFAs have four or more NFL seasons and can negotiate with any team. The Browns receive no immediate compensation if they leave, but they could receive a compensatory pick in 2026 based on a complex formula of net losses in the free agent season.
Letting free agents leave and then replacing them with rookies is a convenient way to reduce a salary cap deficit. The Browns are approximately $30 million over the projected cap of $275 million, so they must be very selective in bringing back any of their UFAs.
We’re going to divide the Browns’ UFAs into four categories to handicap who might receive new contracts.
No way they’re back (3)
Running back D’Onta Foreman, safety Rodney McLeod, left tackle Jedrick Wills.
Foreman played on only 26% of the offensive snaps and was inactive for six games.
McLeod has announced his retirement.
Wills was limited to four starts because of a lingering knee problem and didn’t win any medals for making “a business decision” to not practice or play at times. The first-ever draft pick of Berry as Browns GM has worn out his welcome.
Highly unlikely they’re back (5)
Tight end Jordan Akins, running back/returner Nyheim Hines, linebacker Khaleke Hudson, wide receiver Elijah Moore, quarterback Jameis Winston.
Akins will be 33; Browns need to get younger at tight end.
Hines never was medically cleared and missed a second straight season after ACL surgery in July of 2023.
Hudson was signed after injuries to other linebackers and played mostly on special teams.
Only 25 in March, Moore likely will seek a new team. In two seasons after being acquired for a 2023 second-round pick, Moore averaged 60 catches for 589 yards and 1.5 touchdowns.
Winston provided some laughs, but was benched the last three games after suffering 12 interceptions, including two Pick 6s, in seven starts (2-5).
Could go either way (11)
Offensive tackle Hakeem Adeniji, cornerback Tony Brown, linebacker Devin Bush, offensive tackle Geron Christian, offensive lineman Mike Dunn, cornerback Mike Ford, center Nick Harris, offensive tackle James Hudson, offensive tackle Germain Ifedi, receiver/returner James Proche, tight end Geoff Swaim.
Adeniji suffered a season-ending knee injury in a preseason game.
Brown saw action in six games on special teams.
Because of injuries to other starters, Bush made 10 starts and played 49% of the defensive snaps. He was fourth on the defense with 76 tackles.
After logging nine emergency starts at left tackle in 2023, Christian returned late in the season but did not have a single snap on offense.
Dunn is valuable as a versatile backup on the offensive line.
Ford was a core player on special teams with 72% of snaps on kicks and punts.
When healthy, Harris is a valuable backup at guard and center. He made his only appearance in Game 6 and suffered a season-ending broken ankle on the third play of the game.
James Hudson started three games at offensive tackle before a shoulder injury ended his season.
Earmarked as a swing guard and tackle, Ifedi made seven emergency starts at left tackle when others were injured.
Proche wasn’t the answer returning punts and kickoffs.
Swaim was used as a blocking tight end in eight games.
Should be re-signed (2)
Running back Nick Chubb, defensive tackle Maurice Hurst.
Chubb deserves to complete his comeback from two knee surgeries in 2023 with the Browns. He doesn’t want to play for another team and should be agreeable to a low-cost, incentive-laden contract.
Hurst is productive when on the field. His repeated injuries are frustrating, but make him affordable to bring back.