Where the Browns cap space situation currently stands
Now that the dust has mostly settled from cutdowns across the NFL, there is a better look at where the cap space stands for each team. No one does it better than Spotrac and they have the Cleveland Browns leading the NFL in cap space at $30,664,414 under. Even with what the Browns believe is […]
Now that the dust has mostly settled from cutdowns across the NFL, there is a better look at where the cap space stands for each team.
No one does it better than Spotrac and they have the Cleveland Browns leading the NFL in cap space at $30,664,414 under. Even with what the Browns believe is a competing roster, they’re still leading the NFL in this department.
This number is a testament to the work that General Manager Andrew Berry, Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta, and others have done for the Browns. Cleveland has done a great job of adding talent and working it into the books to remain flexible.
Cleveland has just $18.2 million in dead cap space this year, so they’ve done a solid job at avoiding that. This number is 12th the least in the NFL, so they’re well below average, which is a good thing.
The next closest team in cap space is the Arizona Cardinals at about $20.7 million available. There is a major difference between the two rosters and where they are heading, which is another testament to the Browns’ bookkeeping.
Next year is where it gets interesting and it’s really why the Browns have so much cap space right now. Next season, the Browns are $51.8 million over the cap. But that is not a number to panic about. They’re going to roll the majority of this year’s cap space over, which should put them somewhere around $25 million over. Additionally, there will be a cap increase again for teams across the NFL. Last but not least, the Browns are going to once again restructure contracts next year.
This year alone, they have restructured the contracts of Deshaun Watson, Myles Garrett, Joel Bitonio, and David Njoku — amongst others. Watson is a $64 million cap hit for next season but the Browns will likely restructure that contract once again.
Many people have a disliking for Cleveland’s owner Jimmy Haslam but they can’t knock his ability to open the checkbook. Haslam has invested mightily into the Browns trying to put a good team on the field. Not every owner can restructure contracts like the Browns do, as you often have to pay a lot of money upfront in the form of a bonus. You can factor in the fully guaranteed contract to Watson in this boat too, which was why not many owners were fond of the move.
Cleveland’s in a good cap spot going forward and they’ve built a nice window to compete in. If they continue to work the books correctly, they can continue to stretch that window.
Browns initial 2023 53-man roster
Cuts are in and here is the Browns initial 53-man roster.
Featured image via Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports.
