Andrew Berry has done a solid job as the Cleveland Browns general manager, which is why they haven't had as many awful contracts holding them back as we've seen in the past. And when a player doesn't live up to expectations, he's been quick to move on.
With that being the case, here's a look at three players who fans were happy to see hit the open market as well as two with deals we're eager to see end.
Browns contract we were happy to see end: Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE
Before the 2020 season, there was a lot of excitement about the possibility that Jadeveon Clowney could join the Browns. That didn't end up happening that offseason, however, as he wound up joining the Tennessee Titans on a one-year deal.
A shoulder injury limited him to just eight games and after recording no sacks, it seemed he was out of suitors in 2021. Eventually, he broke down and signed with the Browns on another one-year contract.
Clowney then had a huge season, recording 37 tackles and 9.0 sacks. Then, he did what he always does, and waited as long as possible to re-sign. Some believed he was trying to see who else might come forward while other thought he was avoiding offseason work.
Whatever the reason, he waited until late in May to sign a one-year contract worth $11 million. He then proceeded to have one of the least productive seaons of his career.
Clowney had just two sacks and was reportedly avoiding taking the field in a game against Baltimore unless he thought it was a passing down. He also blamed the coaching staff and Myles Garrett for his struggles — which he later tried to walk back.
Back in free agency, he's still looking for a new home and those in the Dawg Pound are glad he's no longer on the radar.
Browns contract we're eager to see end: Harrison Bryant, TE
It was already mentioned that Andrew Berry has done well to avoid too many terrible high-priced contracts. That's why one of the deals we're eager to see expire isn't a high-priced one but rather a player we're just ready to see the coaching staff move on from.
Harrison Bryant, a former John Mackey Award Winner from Florida Atlantic, was a fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He joined a roster that was crowded at the tight end position which even led to David Njoku asking for a trade as Bryant and Austin Hooper were added in the offseason.
Hooper quickly proved to be a poor signing and was released ahead of the 2022 season. That move pushed Bryant into the TE2 spot behind Njoku, who got a massive extension after rescinding his trade request and proving to be the best of the trio.
In this role, Bryant had a career-high with 31 receptions but his effectiveness dropped in a major way. He went from 11.1 yards per catch in 2021 to just 7.7 in 2022 — and he had a personal-low one touchdown on the season.
As if that wasn't enough, he had five drops according to Pro Football Reference — which was one more than he had in his first two seasons combined — and fumbled twice.
With Jordan Akins now under contract as their new TE2, Bryant is a player that many fans are ready to see head elsewhere when his deal ends following the 2023 campaign.
Browns contract we were happy to see end: Kareem Hunt, RB
Kareem Hunt is the perfect example of how quickly things can fall apart for a running back. The former NFL rushing leader joined the Browns in 2019 after a video was released showing him in a physical altercation with a female. He was let go by the Kansas City Chiefs and received a second chance in the league with his hometown team.
He was suspended for eight games that season and spent the final eight working his way into the offense. In 2020, he was at his best. Hunt finished with 841 yards and six touchdowns on the ground while adding 304 yards and five more touchdowns as a receiver.
As impressive as that campaign was, he started to see things go south in 2021. That year, he missed nine games due to injury and once he was back in 2022, he looked like a different player. Hunt had a career-low 3.8 yards per attempt as well as a personal low in yards per reception — 6.0.
Now a free agent, Cleveland has said they weren't interested in bringing him back, suggesting that he seems to have lost his speed.
In his four seasons with the Browns, Hunt did a lot of good. But by the end, he wasn't living up to the two-year, $13.25 million extension he signed in 2020. For that reason, fans were ready to see youth be served as Jerome Ford should get a shot to be the primary reserve behind Nick Chubb.
Browns contract we're eager to see end: Wyatt Teller, OG
A former fifth-round pick for the Buffalo Bills, Wyatt Teller was sent to Cleveland in a trade ahead of the 2019 season. In exchange for a fifth and sixth-round pick, the Browns landed Teller and a Round 7 selection.
He was a backup for the beginning of the season but then moved into the starting lineup in Week 9. He played so well throughout the rest of the year, as well as throughout the 2020 campaign, that Teller landed a massive four-year extension worth $56.8 million. That keeps him under contract until the 2025 season and when the deal was signed, it seemed like a massive win.
Unfortunately, there's been a drop in his play over the past couple of seasons. Teller, who was graded at 92.2 in 2020 by PFF fell to 84.9 in 2021 and then all the way down to 70.3 this past season.
The main reason for his dip centered on his pass protection. Teller, who is still a mauler in the run game, surrendered four sacks and gave up 26 quarterback pressures as well this past year.
None of this is to say he shouldn't still be a starter in the NFL but with the recent shift in offensive philosophy, he feels like a poor fit in Cleveland. Kevin Stefanski said he wants to drop back and pass the ball 40 times per game, centering the offense around Deshaun Watson. With that being the case, Teller could wind up being a liability.
Cleveland could save $11 million against the cap by making him a post-June 1 cut in 2024 and that might be something that happens if he doesn't improve in pass protection this year.
Browns contract we were happy to see end: John Johnson, Safety
In 2020, fans were excited to see Andrew Berry sign Ausitn Hooper away from the Atlanta Falcons. Considered the best tight end in the free agency class, he was supposed to open up the passing game.
That didn't happen and he was released after just two seasons. Sadly, Berry had the same story unfold for one of his biggest signings in 2021.
John Johnson III was one of the top safeties in the class and he too decided to sign with Cleveland. He performed well in his first season with the franchise but then things went in the wrong direction in 2022.
Johnson struggled in his deep coverage role — which in all honesty, he never should have been asked to do. But what was worse was the lack of effort he showed on the field, even stepping out of the way when Gus Edwards was running toward the end zone with a full head of steam.
As if that wasn't enough, he had just called out teammates for their lack of commitment just days before giving up on a play for the world to see.
Like Hooper, Johnson was let go after just two years. Listed as a post-June 1 cut, the Browns saved roughly $9 million against the cap in 2023 and fans were happy to see that move made. Not only did they replace him with Juan Thornhill, who is a much better fit, but they actually paid less — allowing Berry to go after even more help.