Browns release veteran DE Adrian Clayborn

The Cleveland Browns must improve their defense if they are to do more than just win a single playoff game next January. That did not prevent them from releasing one of their own notable defenders. 

Cleveland confirmed on Tuesday that the club parted ways with defensive end Adrian Clayborn. According to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk, the transaction saves the Browns $3 million against the salary cap. 

Clayborn, who turns 33 years old in July, joined the Browns last April on a two-year deal and produced a solid season, tallying 3.5 sacks, 12 total tackles and three tackles for loss. 

Previously, he was part of the New England Patriots side that defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII and has also spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons. 

With the salary cap likely to go down from the previous year due to financial losses suffered because of the COVID-19 pandemic, contenders such as the Browns are trying to cut costs and also improve rosters to compete with the likes of the Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs. 

Earlier this month, the Browns either missed out on three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt or didn't match the offer made to the five-time First-Team All-Pro by the Arizona Cardinals, depending on what one believes as springtime approaches.