Even though the Cleveland Browns are still focused on the 2022 season, let’s look at 3 guys who may be playing in their final season with the team.
Even though the Cleveland Browns have started out 2-1 in the 2022 season, I’m not sure anyone is truly giving them a shot at the playoffs. With Deshaun Watson suspended for the first 11 games of the season, Jacoby Brissett has managed the team well, but he’s still a very average starting NFL quarterback.
At this point 2-1 is great, but the loss to the New York Jets where every fan in America thought the Browns had won before the colossal collapse has left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth. Last year the schedule was brutal in the beginning and softened at the end of the year, in 2022 it’s the opposite. Cleveland’s four most winnable games were the first four games on the schedule.
While I hate to lose focus on this year, the Browns real chance at a Super Bowl will be in 2023. And with the major contract for Watson, you may be without these three players who are key parts of the 2022 roster.
Cleveland Browns most likely playing their final season with the team
No. 3 – Jack Conklin
With Jack Conklin back on the field last week, the Cleveland Browns offensive line was instantly better. While many starters are more run-blocking specialists, Conklin is fantastic in pass protection which is so important in today’s game.
There were some questions on if Conklin would ever get back to normal. He’s only 28 years of age, but a serious knee injury last year had some doubting his ability to return. So far so good in 2022, but Conklin is likely a luxury the Browns won’t be able to afford past this year.
It’s bad enough he has $6 million of void money over the next two seasons when he isn’t under contract, but with the league so desperate for tackle play, someone will give him a monster deal the Browns won’t be able to match (assuming he stays healthy).
I don’t feel extremely confident in James Hudson as the full-time starter just yet, but if he has the same type of improvement from 2022 to 2023 that he had this offseason, moving on from Conklin is likely the right move.
No. 2 – Kareem Hunt
One guy who seems to never get enough appreciation until the season starts is Kareem Hunt. It’s hard to fall in love with a second-string running back, but this guy could be a starter on a lot of teams in the NFL. On top of that, he runs so hard with no regard for his body and fights for every yard imaginable. He has a fire about him that can be contagious for the entire offense.
Hunt started with the Browns after some off-field issues ran him out of Kansas City. Cleveland is home for Hunt and up until now, he has taken a bit of a home-town discount which has been fantastic for the Browns. Hunt is making just over $6 million in 2022, and a running back-hungry team will likely be ready to pay him that or more in 2023.
With Nick Chubb under contract through 2024 and Watson having a cap hit just under $55 million next year, Hunt is a luxury the Browns won’t be able to afford. It will be tough seeing him leave, but this team will need to focus its money on other positions.
Remember, Jerome Ford showed a lot of life in the preseason and a few limited snaps he has seen in 2022. It’s going to be a downgrade, but the Browns at least know Ford is capable of being a second running back on an NFL roster.
No. 1 – Jadeveon Clowney
Every single offseason it feels like Jadeveon Clowney is one of the last guys to sign with a team. I’m not sure if he hates offseason workouts that much, or if he truly is indecisive. The Cleveland Browns have been lucky enough to have him the last two years, but I’m not sure it will happen again after his one-year deal is over.
Clowney is dominant when on the field, but he’s already missed a game in 2022 and has proven time and time again he is injury prone. The Browns are paying him just under $10 million for his one year of service but have four void years in the contract and will have him hitting the cap until 2025.
You’re going to see more and more contracts like this with major deals to Denzel Ward, Myles Garrett, and Watson, but the one with Clowney is absurd four years out. Andrew Berry has to get frustrated every offseason waiting for Clowney to make a decision, so I think they’ll be ready to move on after 2022.
Isiah Thomas and Alex Wright have both shown signs of being potential NFL starters at defensive end, but they are nowhere near ready to take every single snap. We saw last week vs. the Steelers with Clowney out how bad the pass rush can be when all you must focus on is Garrett.
Clowney has been fantastic in Cleveland and extremely productive, but once again I don’t think Berry will be able to afford him in 2023. At the age of 30, Clowney may also be looking for a multi-year deal while still in his prime.
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