In the coming days, I’ll be doing brief synopses for each NFL team regarding their current cap situation and offseason approach they should take.
We’ll start with the teams that have the most cap space available, then work our way down to those teams who have less cap space, to those who have work to do to gain cap space.
Each synopsis will look at cap space (or how much over the cap), players under contract, total draft picks, any players with a fifth-year option decision ahead and notes about the most notable free agent, the most likely player cut and the quarterback situation.
Our next team to examine is the Cleveland Browns.
Players under contract for 2026: 56
Projected cap space: $3.2M
Total draft picks: 10 (No. 6 and No. 24 in first round)
Most notable free agent: Devin Bush
Most likely roster cut: None
Fifth-year option decision: None
Quarterback situation: Neither Dillon Gabriel nor Shedeur Sanders showed enough to be the starter. DeShaun Watson really isn’t an option. The Browns have to find some way to fit a veteran under the salary cap.
The ideal offseason approach:
I previously wrote that the Browns may have no choice but to restructure Watson’s contract to help with the cap situation. They will then be prepared to cut him in 2027 with the post-June 1 designation and deal with the massive dead money charges.
In the meantime, the Browns have to figure out who can be part of the roster moving forward. I indicated there were no potential cuts because there aren’t any that would help with the cap situation, other than Denzel Ward, who might be retained. While it’s not certain they will trade Myles Garrett, if they decide to do that, they need to do so before his option bonus is due on March 25.
The Browns are at least in a great position when it comes to the draft. That may be the route they should take to replenish the roster, rather than chasing after free agents.