The Cleveland Browns have restructured the contract of left tackle Jedrick Wills, according to reports, creating an additional $1.8 million in cap space. Just over $2.2 million of Wills’ base salary has been converted into a signing bonus while adding three void years on the tail end of the deal.
Wills, taken in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, has started 45 games over three seasons for the Browns. Pro Football Focus graded Wills’ 2022 at 62.9, which is considered average by their standards. Playing the fifth-most snaps (1,152), Wills committed the 8th most penalties among tackles (10) and allowed six sacks last season. Wills is a very average tackle who is capable of handling blocking duties against lesser defenders. However, it is the top-end guys that beat him regularly. It would be less of a concern if the AFC North was not littered with the latter type of defender.
Analysis
Do not expect any type of big move from the Browns following the restructure. Like the other restructures, this was done with the future in mind. Cleveland may lead the league in cap space now, but that does not apply to next season. The Browns are significantly over the cap and they must find ways to lessen that number as much as possible. Restructures such as Wills’ create rollover cap space to apply to the following year.
Expect Cleveland’s front office to continue acting in this manner as long as they are carrying the contract of Deshaun Watson. Watson was previously the highest-paid quarterback in the league, and that impacted future salary cap numbers. 2023’s base salary is only $1.080 million, but it is the years that follow that are troublesome. Watson’s cap hits for 2024-2026 sit at just under $64 million. It is about finding ways to make that number much more palatable. Expect more restructures in the future so the Browns can keep their talented roster core together.
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