The Cleveland Browns have pushed the limit on their finances but may have finally hit the wall.
There is some tremendous irony that while many see the professional football as a symbol of capitalism in America, the NFL is without a doubt the most socialist professional sports organization in the world. The individual teams essentially profit share on both attendance and endorsements while the NFL Draft and salary cap maintain parity and competitiveness amongst the teams.
The salary cap specifically is a beautiful thing for the game as it forces teams to evaluate a player’s value on the field to what they can afford. There are countless free agent signings and contract terminations during this week every single year and there are usually a few surprises mixed in. Unfortunately, I am predicting that one huge surprise will be coming from the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland Browns Expected to Release Superstar to Lower Salaries Against the Cap
As of this moment, the Browns are approximately $11 million over the leagues established $255.4 million salary cap for the 2024 season. In order for the team to get below that number, they’re going to need to either restructure some contracts or release some players to the free agency pool. Unfortunately for the team, there is one obvious but depressing candidate that would be the perfect fit to be released.
During his tenure with Cleveland, superstar running back Nick Chubb has been a staple of the smash mouth offense that this team has personified throughout their existence. With an established offensive line, Chubb has been one of the strongest running backs in football while he has amassed over 6,500 rushing yards and 48 rushing touchdowns over the course of his career. He is certainly an iconic player for the team.
The problem is that Chubb will be 28 years old this year which has typically indicated the tipping point in the prime of the modern NFL running back’s career. On top of that, the superstar back tore both his ACL and MCL in his knee last season and will have to recover from that. While it is certainly possible that he could be back with the team at full strength next season, there is so much risk involved here for Cleveland with a salary cap hit of $15 million for Chubb next season.
There is always the possibility that the team can convince Chubb to renegotiate his contract to a much lower salary but after the entire position has been beaten down over the past few years on value, it is unlikely that one of the leading advocates for better pay for running backs would be willing to do that. The team already went out and signed Nyhiem Hines as both a backup and potential alternative if it comes to that for Cleveland.
Chubb is a spectacular player but his release would undeniably solve a long list of problems for the Cleveland Browns.
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8 Comments
Keep nick don’t listen to this guy. Nick should be a brown for life
This dude will just write anything
These so called Management geniuses Should be the Ones Axed, not Talented Players and the Browns should have Had an Off’ play Caller Instead of Stephanski (?) ‼️
Chubb Ain’t going no where, do not even know why the subject is even talked about out of the question. Sorry look some where else .
tell me you know nothing about football, without telling me you know anything about football, or the salary cap, or cleveland, or nick chubb….
Read article on salary cap for signing NICK CHUBB,if Browns let him go,I’m done,as a lifetime fan,They let Flacco go,which was stupid, Watson is overrated,he took all extra money with ridiculous contract,at this moment you going to Cleveland as a player reminds me of NBA D league,show case yourselves for few years than use opportunity to go-to another NFL team.Landry example!!!!
I have been a browns fan for all my life or almost all of my life. I’m a 71 year old man with lewy body dementia and the clock is ticking for me. I’m afraid I’ll never get to see my beloved browns get to a super bowl. They have made so many stupid discussions. Letting Bill Belichick go one of the greatest coaches ever. Look at what Baker Mayfield is doing for Tampa bay buccaneers. Now Joe Flacco was an other stupid discussion just my opinion and so many stupid discussions. I will always be a browns fan for all my life.i hate to start pulling for Tampa bay but I loved baker Mayfield. Let’s go Browns!!!!
I’ve been a Browns fan since I turned 8 years old in 1957 , Jimmy Brown was a rookie ! Stupid trades , there are plenty . Bobby Mitchell to Washington to draft Ernie Davis , Leukemia was the culprit there . Paul Warfield to Miami to draft Mike Phipps ! Team loyalty and player loyalty are gone from the game . I’m betting 100 on the the Browns to win the North , the AFC and the Superbowl ! We their fans and the team are due . With or without Nick Chubb , hope it’s with he deserves that much .