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Five players the Cleveland Browns could try to extend next

By Mitch Zoloty

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 08: Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi #65 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after the Cleveland Browns defeated the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bengals 27-19. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 08: Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi #65 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after the Cleveland Browns defeated the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bengals 27-19. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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No. 3 Olivier Vernon

DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 3: Olivier Vernon #54 of the Cleveland Browns sacks Brandon Allen #2 of the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Browns 24-19. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 3: Olivier Vernon #54 of the Cleveland Browns sacks Brandon Allen #2 of the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Browns 24-19. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Even though he recently restructured his deal, there is still work to be done to secure Vernon’s spot on the Browns long term. After taking basically a $4 million pay cut, Olivier Vernon secured his spot on the Browns for 2020. Basically, he understood no team in the NFL was going to pay him the $15 million he was originally scheduled to make.

Turning 30-years-old this season, Vernon is most likely on the back end of his career. Entering his ninth season in the NFL, Vernon has already made a great chunk of change. According to OverTheCap, he has made approximately $83,930,080 in his NFL career so far, and that’s including his current one year deal.

Vernon hasn’t played a full NFL season since 2016, and considering his age, he likely won’t be a hot commodity in free agency in 2021. Even though Cleveland isn’t the nicest city to retire in, Vernon’s best bet would likely be to secure another contract with the Cleveland Browns.

Cleveland doesn’t have a single player on their roster at the moment who seems capable of replacing Vernon, and the team likely won’t make a big splash to fill his position in free agency next offseason. Rather than throwing a rookie into the fire, it would be beneficial to both parties to negotiate an extension.

A contract with high guarantees that includes another pay cut would likely be enough for both sides to keep Vernon in town for a few more years.

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