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4 Cleveland Browns who may not get extensions after Deshaun Watson trade

By Greg Newland

Nov 21, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) intercepts the ball from Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) intercepts the ball from Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
Jan 17, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) celebrates with tight end David Njoku (85) his touchdown scored against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half in the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Browns Player not getting an Extension No. 4 – Kareem Hunt

The Cleveland Browns were able to acquire Amari Cooper in a trade because Jerry Jones was foolish enough to pay a running back $18 million per season. Not only that, but Ezekiel Elliott also had $30 million of dead cap on his contract for 2022. Because of that, the Browns fleeced the Cowboys because they had to get rid of the salary.

The bottom line is this league isn’t a running back league anymore. And as much as I love Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, Andrew Berry isn’t going to pay both of these guys forever. This is a passing league where quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends will start seeing the big contracts.

Hunt has a fairly team-friendly deal in 2022 with a $6.25 million salary. Truthfully, he could still be one of those cap casualties, but the fact he has made it this far and is so talented I think he will survive.

But with Chubb having $10 million in dead cap in 2023, I don’t see any way he comes back unless it’s at an extreme hometown discount. If they would happen to win a title next year or get really close, he may have the itch to do so, but someone else will definitely be willing to pay him more money.

I love Hunt as a player, but there just isn’t going to be room for him moving forward.

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