The Cleveland Browns boasted one of the worst salary cap situations in the league as the 2024 season came to a close. But some creativity by general manager Andrew Berry has turned that around.
And as the calendary rolls to June, things aren't looking nearly as bleak.
Chris Pokomy of Dawgs By Nature outlined how things have changed with some post-June 1 designated moves.
"Heading into June, the Browns were taking a $5.864 million cap hit for Thornhill. Effective June 2nd, that number gets reduced to $2.284 million, freeing up $3.58 million in cap space for 2025," Pokomy wrote. "Similarly, Tomlinson was still carrying a cap number of $11.54 million in 2025 through June. Now, effective June 2nd, he will only count as $5.04 million in dead cap toward 2025, a savings of $6.5 million in 2026.
"Together, the savings add up to about $10.08 million, which gives Browns general manager Andrew Berry a little more flexibility to do what he wants — either adding a player, extending a contract, restructuring a contract, or having more cap space to roll over into next season."
There aren't a lot of options available in free agency, but if there is an injury issue, the Browns could now make a move if necessary. Berry could also recoup some cap space by reworking a contract or two in the form of an extension for any number of players, but it would have to benefit the team and the player.
Of course, the biggest hit on the cap this season is Deshaun Watson's $35 million, which seems like peanuts compared to the $80 million hit they'll take next season. Then we'll see how creative Berry can truly be.