6 Browns’ players who will likely be cap casualties in 2023
By Chad Porto
Jack Conklin
It seems all but a certainty that Jack Conklin is gone after this year. It’d be great to keep him, he’s the best lineman on the team, and makes the running game go. We saw what not having him on the field did to the team. The pass blocking went to hell in a handbasket, and the running game lost some of its pop.
Conklin is clearly a vital piece but he’s making $11 million this year and is only 28. That means he’s going to look for one last big paycheck while he’s still in his prime. If he plays well enough, he’ll likely be up for another All-NFL spot, and maybe even a Pro Bowl spot too. That means he’ll likely command even more than what he’s already making.
Would the Browns want to ring him back at $12-$14 million per year for another three years? With no changes to the roster, that’s about $35 million for Conklin, Wyatt Teller, and Joel Bitonio. Would the Browns be willing to invest that much cash into three players on the offensive line? Especially with two of them being near or over 30 years old.
It’s a large pill to swallow, but if the Browns decide to go young at tackle in the draft, then it may be a sign that they intend on moving on from Conklin. Though nothing is set in stone.