Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is still recovering from knee surgery. The Cleveland Browns need another elite wide receiver alongside Amari Cooper, but at what cost?
San Francisco 49ers breakout star Brandon Aiyuk has become a popular name among the Dawg Pound in recent days following indications from his inner circle that he could be on the move this offseason. However, as cap-strapped as the organization is currently, adding a player like Aiyuk won’t come without significant cost elsewhere on the roster.
Jack Duffin of Orange and Brown Report took to social media on Saturday, February 17, and laid out briefly the most likely scenarios by which Cleveland could create space for Aiyuk on the salary cap sheet.
#Browns fans tweeting about adding Brandon Aiyuk
There are two most obvious routes to create the level of cash needed from non guaranteed contracts:
a) Cooper Gone
b) Teller & Chubb Gone
Not saying this is the only route but they are the most likely scenarios…
“#Browns fans tweeting about adding Brandon Aiyuk. There are two most obvious routes to create the level of cash needed from non-guaranteed contracts: a) Cooper Gone; b) Teller & Chubb Gone,” Duffin wrote. “Not saying this is the only route, but they are the most likely scenarios.”
Adding Aiyuk would be a boon for quarterback Deshaun Watson and the air attack, but losing Nick Chubb and Wyatt Teller would hit Cleveland’s run game hard. However, in any discussion that involves Chubb playing elsewhere in 2024, recent comments from GM Andrew Berry must be considered.
“I understand that’s a little bit the elephant in the room,” Berry said of Chubb’s contract on January 22, per Zac Jackson of The Athletic. “Nobody wants to see that carry in Pittsburgh be the last time he carries the ball for the Browns. There are things to work through … but we hope to have him on the team.”
For anyone familiar with how Berry typically speaks to the media, that’s about as close as he ever comes to saying publicly that a player’s future is in danger. Chubb is coming off of a catastrophic knee injury and will count more than $15.8 million against the cap in 2024. The team can save $11.8 million by cutting or trading him at any point this offseason.
Those types of savings make Chubb potentially expendable regardless, and moving on from him to make way for a borderline elite playmaker like Aiyuk at least makes Chubb’s loss worth it.
Teller, meanwhile, has two years remaining on his $56.8 million deal. Cleveland can save $6.2 million against the cap this year and $9.2 million in 2025 by cutting or trading the three-time Pro Bowl offensive guard with a post-June 1 designation.
Browns Wide Receiver Amari Cooper: Is He on the Chopping Block?
Amari Cooper, the star wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns, could be facing an uncertain future with the team. Rumors have been swirling that the Browns may be considering cutting ties with Cooper in order to pursue another talented receiver. However, this move seems to contradict the initial plan of keeping Cooper as the team’s primary receiver alongside a new addition.
Cooper’s hefty contract is a major factor in the decision-making process. He is set to account for a staggering $24 million on the Browns’ 2024 cap sheet, making him one of the highest-paid players on the team. Instead of taking the route of cutting or trading Cooper, the Browns are more likely to extend his contract. By restructuring the deal and converting some of his salary into bonuses, the team can significantly lower his cap hit while keeping Cooper on board.
Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com recently reported that the Browns have no intention of parting ways with Cooper. This decision comes after Cooper’s impressive performance in the 2023 season, where he recorded 72 catches for 1,250 yards and 5 touchdowns. With such strong numbers, it’s clear why the Browns want to retain Cooper as a key player in their offense.
The potential pairing of Cooper and Brandon Aiyuk, the San Francisco 49ers’ wide receiver, is an enticing prospect for the Browns. Aiyuk has shown consistent improvement throughout his career and was recognized as a second-team All-Pro last year. In the 2023 season, he recorded 75 catches for 1,342 yards and 7 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 17.9 yards per reception. The 49ers have exercised their fifth-year option on Aiyuk’s contract, ensuring his presence in the team for the 2024 season.
If the Browns are serious about acquiring Aiyuk, they need to carefully consider the long-term financial implications. Aiyuk’s market value is estimated to be nearly $23 million annually over a four-year deal. Additionally, the trade price for Aiyuk would likely involve at least a first-round pick and possibly more. The Browns must weigh the cost to their roster, potentially involving players like Chubb and Teller, against the potential benefits of adding Aiyuk to their receiving corps.
Only time will tell what the future holds for Amari Cooper and the Cleveland Browns. As the team navigates the complexities of the salary cap and roster management, they must carefully assess their options and make decisions that will set them up for success in the seasons to come.
According to the Source heavy.com