3 worst Cleveland Browns contracts heading into 2022
By Greg Newland
Worst Browns Contract No. 1 – Austin Hooper
The two contracts above from Berry have some justification because of the salary cap situation. And, those two players have performed quite well for the team. Clowney has been a star, and I think it’s safe to say that Johson has met (or is close) to expectations.
The Austin Hooper contract has been far from that. This deal was signed in March of 2020 when there was no thought of a salary cap decrease in 2021, and the deal was still signed. Not only does this deal have a voided year in 2024 with a $3.75 million hit, but the guaranteed money is also significant.
On top of all this, Hooper just has not lived up to expectations. After back-to-back pro-bowls with the Falcons in 2018 and 2019, Hooper has had his two worst years since he was a rookie with the Cleveland Browns.
Not only has he struggled to get in sync with the quarterback, but he has also had some timely drops. Hooper is a tremendous blocker, but this isn’t a league where you pay a blocking tight end $10 million-plus average per year.
This is a tricky one this offseason. The deal is bad, but the Browns can save themselves $19 million if they cut him post-June 1st. The team would be eating over $10 million the next three years, but it may be worth it to get out from under this deal.
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If Berry thinks he has a shot to resign David Njoku, I expect Hooper to be gone. If Njoku’s market price skyrockets, Hooper may have a chance to remain a Brown for one more season.