Chris Hubbard could have a short tenure with the Cleveland Browns
By Dan Justik
The Cleveland Browns signed Chris Hubbard to a five-year contract this off-season, but 2018 could be his only season in the brown and orange.
When the Cleveland Browns and general manager John Dorsey signed right tackle Chris Hubbard to a five-year, $37.5 million contract this off-season, it was a surprise to many.
Hubbard did not have extensive starting experience, starting only 14 games in four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After starting ten games in 2017, the Browns felt that they saw enough in his performance that made them feel comfortable giving him the large contract in the off-season.
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It also helped Hubbard that Todd Haley, his offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, became the offensive coordinator for the Browns.
But after nine games this season, it has been apparent that Hubbard was not worth the contract he received, as he has struggled to limit pressure. The Browns offensive line has given up the most sacks in the league with 35.
Most of the pressure has come from the edges, as Hubbard and Desmond Harrison have struggled this season. Hubbard has allowed six sacks and 19 hurries this season, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Despite him signing this off-season, it is hard to imagine Hubbard staying in Cleveland past this season. With Baker Mayfield under center, the Browns are going to want to limit the amount of hits he takes, and having Hubbard as the starting right tackle is concerning.
The biggest hang-up would be how much the dead cap the Browns would carry if they released or traded Hubbard after the season. But the Browns signed Hubbard with most of the guaranteed money at signing, giving the team more flexibility throughout the length of the deal.
According to Spotrac, if the Browns were to release or trade Hubbard before June 1st, they would only have $3.2 million in dead money in 2019 and save $4.1 million. For as large of a contract that Hubbard signed, that is not a lot of money dead money to carry. And with the amount of cap space the Browns are expected to have in the off-season, that money will not hurt them in the short-term.
Haley being fired also does not help Hubbard’s case, as the former Browns offensive coordinator was likely Hubbard’s biggest supporter. Without Haley, there may not be another proponent in the organization for keeping Hubbard on the roster.
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The Browns made a mistake giving Hubbard such a large contract this off-season. It would be another mistake if they decided to keep him on the roster in 2019. They may have to find another starting right tackle, but Hubbard has shown he is not a starting caliber offensive tackle.
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