Cleveland Browns: 7 players who could be gone after the 2021 season

5. EDGE Jadeveon Clowney

The team reportedly attempted to sign Clowney to a lucrative three-year deal back in 2020, but he decided to bet on himself and signed a one-year prove-it deal with the Tennessee Titans, a move that did not pay off. He played well, but suffered a knee injury after eight games.

His one-year deal with the Browns is worth a maximum of $10 million, though he will count far less against the cap this season. He should be an impactful player against both the run and the pass, but will be seeking to cash in on the market again next offseason.

Could the Browns afford to pay him long-term? Theoretically, yes, but it would be wiser to pay a younger and healthier player instead.

4. G Wyatt Teller

After spending nine games as the starter in 2019, Teller burst onto the scene in 2020, proving himself to be one of the NFL’s best guards, and perhaps its best run-blocker, regardless of position. The running game suffered greatly during the five games Teller missed, despite quality backups filling his place.

Teller is no doubt extremely valuable to the offense, yet guard is the least valuable position on the line, and if Teller has another great season, he could price himself into the very top of his position group. That is a cost the Browns may be unwilling to pay, and with Joel Bitonio no longer carrying any dead money if released, the two guard spots could end up looking very different for the team sooner rather than later.