With the Cleveland Browns officially eliminated from playoff contention by AFC results on Sunday, the time has come to start looking ahead to the offseason. Two key pieces in the upcoming evaluation process for GM Andrew Berry are quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Jarvis Landry. Much of how he tries to set the team up to rebound from a disappointing 2021 season will revolve around the decisions made regarding these veterans and their contracts.
According to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns are unlikely to bring back Landry at his currently scheduled cap hit of $16.55M. Between injuries and ongoing quarterback issues, the 30-year-old has only recorded 42 catches for 452 yards and one touchdown this year. Add that to the fact that the team would only incur a hit of $1.5M in dead money if he were released, and it is easy to see why Cabot figures Cleveland is more likely to restructure his deal.
Cabot also adds, however, that the team may prefer to completely overhaul the top end of their receiving corps. Having already moved on from Odell Beckham Jr. midseason – a decision that seemed to sour Landry, his former LSU teammate and close friend – Berry may do the same with another expensive acquisition made prior to his arrival as GM.
As for Mayfield, myriad injuries are one of several reasons for the Browns’ underachieving this campaign. Cabot sees it as unlikely the Browns part ways with the former first-overall pick this spring, though. With a cap hit of $18.M in next year, Cleveland could use 2022 as the final “prove-it” season to decide whether or not Mayfield is worth committing to long-term. In an uncertain free agency, coupled with an underwhelming quarterback class upcoming in the draft, Cabot suspects more attention will be placed on filling roster holes elsewhere and counting on improved health along the offensive line.
The Browns play the Steelers on Monday night and will finish the season against the AFC North champion Bengals in Week 18.
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