The Browns are working on creating some salary cap space, which has led to them reworking Jedrick Wills’ deal.
The Cleveland Browns overcame quite a bit of adversity in 2023 to make a playoff run, and they will be hoping they can build off their strong campaign this offseason. They will need some money in order to do that, though, so the team has been hard at work clearing up cap space ahead of free agency, which led them to revisit Jedrick Wills’ deal.
After being selected with the tenth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Wills quickly emerged as one of the brightest young tackles in the league. He picked up an MCL injury in Week 9 of the 2023 campaign that cut his season short, so the hope is that he can return at full strength in 2024. Either way, the Browns saw his deal as one that could be used to create cap space, which led to them reworking it to free up over $10 million.
Via Tom Pelissero:
“The Browns converted tackle Jedrick Wills’ fifth-year option, clearing $10.44M.”
Browns hoping Jedrick Wills can make big return in 2024
Wills’ injury was a tough blow for him, especially since he had been looking likely to command a massive extension from Cleveland this offseason. Instead, the team will use his deal to clear up cap space, and see how he performs in 2024 before deciding whether they want to extend him next offseason.