Steelers’ AFC North Rival Browns May Be Forced To Cut Nick Chubb; Ravens Pick Up Massive Amount Of Dead Cap

The rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and their AFC North counterparts runs deep, particularly with the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens. Recent events have thrust both teams into the spotlight, stirring up significant buzz within their respective organizations.

Steelers' AFC North Rival Nick Chubb Could Be Cut By The Browns

One headline-making development revolves around the Browns' star running back, Nick Chubb, whose status on the team has become unexpectedly uncertain. Zac Jackson of The Athletic shed light on the potential for Chubb to become a casualty of NFL salary cap constraints. According to Jackson, the Browns are torn. 

“The Browns want to keep Chubb and hope he can be an effective fourth quarter closer for them in the back half of next season. But Chubb is recovering from two surgeries on his injured knee, and he’s due to carry a salary cap charge of just under $16 million in 2024, the final year of his contract and his age-28 season. The Browns would only take on around $4 million in dead money if they cut Chubb, and though that’s not the result anyone involved wants or has wanted, this contract was structured long before the injury. Browns GM Andrew Berry has said conversations about restructuring are coming, and though a healthy Chubb has been maybe the league’s best running back, the Browns need to smartly account for every penny on their salary cap now and into the foreseeable future. Chubb probably will be back, but this is a delicate and potentially complicated situation.”

The Browns' potential decision to part ways with one of the league's top running backs would send shockwaves through the NFL. In this highly competitive environment, no option is spared scrutiny. Ultimately, football is a business, and tough choices sometimes become necessary, especially when financial considerations loom large. 

Despite Chubb's undeniable talent and elite running abilities, his recent serious injury and advancing age of 28 raise questions about his future performance. While optimism remains for his return, the unpredictability of recovery from such a significant knee injury adds an element of uncertainty to the equation. While Chubb's future with the Browns is unknown, Steelers fans would be thrilled to get Chubb out of the AFC North. 

While Jackson expresses confidence in Chubb's eventual return to the Browns, he acknowledges the complexity and sensitivity of the situation. Every financial decision carries weight as the Browns navigate the intricate landscape of salary cap management.

Ravens' Dead Cap Hit Costing $8.3 Million

The Ravens were dealt a significant blow in their salary cap situation after failing to secure contracts with four key players. This failure resulted in the team facing a substantial dead cap hit of $8.3 million. 

Dead cap, a term prevalent in the NFL, denotes the portion of the salary cap that remains tied to players who are no longer part of the team. This scenario commonly arises from player releases, trades, or contract restructurings. When a player exits the team before the contract's end, any remaining guaranteed money accelerates into the current league year, leading to dead cap space.

This financial constraint can impede the team's ability to acquire new talent or extend contracts with current players, as it restricts available salary cap resources. Teams must carefully manage dead cap space to navigate within the confines of their salary cap limitations.

The Ravens recently faced the voiding of contracts for four impending free agents: right guard Kevin Zeitler, running back Gus Edwards, safety Geno Stone, and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. Consequently, the team is now burdened with $10 million in dead money against their 2024 salary cap. Edwards bears $1.84 million, while Zeitler tops the list with $4.86 million. Conversely, Stone carries the smallest sum at $600,000, with Ya-Sin shouldering $1.6 million in dead cap.

The Steelers aren't the lone team with a flurry of activity this offseason. Across the AFC North, there's a hive of activity in the early phases of what promises to be a pivotal offseason, one with significant ramifications for the 2024 season. The AFC North is shaping up for an intriguing offseason ahead.