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3 worst contracts for the Cleveland Browns in 2021

By Greg Newland

Nov 10, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) celebrates with wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) celebrates with wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Case Keenum and Kyle Lauletta were on hand for OTA workouts on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 in Berea, Ohio. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal] /

3. Quarterback – Case Keenum

At the time the Browns signed backup quarterback, Case Keenum, I really liked the idea of bringing him in. Baker Mayfield still hadn’t proven that he was “the guy”, and Keenum had a ton of success with Stefanski in Minnesota.

The signing may have made sense in the beginning, but the three-year, $18 million contract is now one of the worst on the team. Keenum will have a cap hit of over $7 million in 2021 to do nothing but hold a clipboard for Mayfield.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand that there is value to having Keenum on the roster. He is a great mentor to Mayfield, and if anything ever happened, he would be more than capable to come into a game. But with a salary cap, the luxury of a great backup quarterback just doesn’t exist in the NFL.

There is good news for the Cleveland Browns on this one. Mayfield will still be on his rookie deal in 2021 so paying Keenum isn’t the end of the world. Also, there is very little dead money on Keenum’s contract next season so the team can move on if they so desire.

With the roughly $6.5 million the team will save in 2022, the Browns will have a nice chunk to move to Mayfield’s pocket as they finally get the long-term deal settled.

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