Top 4 Cleveland Browns who could be cap casualties in 2023
By Randy Gurzi
The Cleveland Browns still have plenty of time left in 2022, but we look ahead to the cap situation for 2023 and identify four players who could be in trouble
General manager Andrew Berry has done a good job adding a lot of talent to the Cleveland Browns roster. The only downside to this is that they’re suddenly in a situation where they have to be concerned about the salary cap.
Sure, they have plenty of room in 2022, but next year will be a different story. When Deshaun Watson’s contract starts to climb, they’ll have to make some tough moves to get out of the red.
With that being the case, we look at four players who could be in trouble when this season ends and Berry makes some financial cuts.
All salary numbers courtesy of OverTheCap.com.
4 Cleveland Browns who could be cap casualties in 2023
4. Joel Haeg, OT
Cap Hit: $2.5 million
Pre-June 1: $2 million Savings, $500,000 Dead Money
Post-June 1: $2 million Savings, $500,000 Dead Money
This is one that’s a little confusing. The Browns signed Joe Haeg to a three-year deal worth $7.5 million despite seeing James Hudson improve as a blocker.
They have yet to use Haeg but he still has a cap hit of $2.5 million for 2023. As long as Cleveland believes Hudson can start — it’s rather unlikely they retain Jack Conklin who is scheduled for free agency — they might decide Haeg can be replaced at a lower rate.
The one good thing in this situation is that his contract is written in a way they can save the majority of that hit with $2 million in savings and just $500,000 in dead money whether he’s a pre or post-June 1 release.