Cleveland Browns: 5 2021 New Year’s resolutions
By Sam Penix
![Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) gets his team fired up before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns 15 1](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fdawgpounddaily-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F15318367-850x560-2fb3b06893b336a4a6bcc595a76cc9e79dea19e10ff142946ac0acf745746983.jpg "Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) gets his team fired up before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns 15 1")
4. Re-sign Olivier Vernon
Olivier Vernon was limited to 10 games in 2019 due to injury, but in the few he played at near-100 percent, he was fantastic. Given Vernon’s contract (he was due about $15 million this season, but could be cut for zero dead cap), the Browns explored replacement options on the EDGE market, reportedly pursuing Jadevon Clowney. Nothing materialized, and Vernon agreed to lower his cap hit to $11 million in exchange for that amount being fully guaranteed. For the production the Browns have gotten out of Vernon this year, that’s a steal.
Injuries again slowed him early in the season, but since Cleveland’s Week 8 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, Vernon has been one of the league’s best edge defenders. He plays the run very well and has collected eight sacks over his last eight games.
Given his injury history and age (30), Vernon is not the long-term Robin to Garrett’s Batman, but he can still be a really good Wonder Woman? Superman? Whoever you want Batman to team up with.
Given the uncertainty surrounding the future of the NFL salary cap, Vernon’s pending free agency will be a very interesting topic to follow. How much will teams be willing to offer him considering his injury history?
Will he want one final big contract, or would he rather seek continuity with a chance to win? Whatever the case, as long as the contract is reasonable, the Browns need to bring Vernon back, whether they draft an EDGE high or not.