Forget loyalty; Cleveland Browns Denzel Ward terminated his contract and announced his departure, leaving…
As the NFL offseason approaches, the Cleveland Browns’ financial status is far from ideal.
Cleveland will need to reallocate some funds because the Browns are really expected to have minus-19.4 million in cap room.
According to Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report, the Browns aren’t actually able to cut many players, but he does believe they can rework certain contracts.
Cornerback Denzel Ward is one player specifically mentioned.
According to Ballentine, “The Browns will need to restructure certain contracts and defer payments to future years to create financial flexibility.” To shift up to $35.8 million into later seasons, they extended void years on Deshaun Watson’s contract. Additionally, restructuring deals for Denzel Ward and Jack Conklin could free up over $18 million in cap space.
Ward signed a five-year contract extension with Cleveland in 2022, keeping him with the team through 2027. His base salary for the upcoming season is projected to be $13.5 million.
The Browns may be able to free up some much-needed salary space if they and Ward can work out a new contract for Ward.
Cleveland will still have a lot of work to do to free some cash even if they can convince the four-time Pro Bowl player to restructure.
The Browns have put themselves in a difficult financial situation, and they will need some time to get out of it.
Cleveland may not sign many free agents during the offseason as a result.
A fourth member joins the Browns for the Pro Bowl Games.
The Cleveland Browns’ three Pro Bowl selections—WR Jerry Jeudy, DE Myles Garrett, and CB Denzel Ward—were revealed in early January. They will now have a familiar face to keep them company.
The announcement that LG Joel Bitonio was selected as a Pro Bowler for the seventh consecutive season came on Monday, the day after Championship weekend. How did the opening occur? OG Joe Thuney of the Kansas City Chiefs will not play in this year’s Pro Bowl games because he made it to the Super Bowl.
Bitonio became the only player to hold fourth position on the Browns’ all-time total of Pro Bowl appearances after receiving the award. OT Lou Groza (9), RB Jim Brown (9), and OT Joe Thomas (10 appearances) are in front of him.
More information on this year’s Pro Bowl games and the events the Browns players will be taking part in will be available in the days ahead.
