5 Cleveland Browns who need to be re-signed for the 2023 season
By Chad Porto
![Dec 17, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) is introduced before the game between the Browns and the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports Dec 17, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) is introduced before the game between the Browns and the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/ddc824df17a5e54fcb6e43a8a5815b592115ca7fa833555835b435aefdc5fe67.jpg)
The Cleveland Browns have got to re-sign these five pending free agents for 2023.
The Cleveland Browns need some help this offseason that’s for sure, but we shouldn’t be so quick to throw out every player on the Browns’ roster as we prepare for the 2023 offseason. Not every pending free agent needs to go, and some are hopefully going to be retained as the team builds a physically responsible team around the terrible contracts of the embattled Desuah Watson ($46 million) and Amari Cooper ($20 million).
Putting $86 million on just two players is a lot, especially when the 2023 cap is $225 million. That’s nearly 40% of the cap right there. So it’s obvious that the team is going to need to start penny-pinching this offseason.
That doesn’t mean the team has to skimp on signing guys they need, or re-signing guys that have value. Sure, it’ll be tight but you have to make sure you retain as much talent as possible while filling holes through the draft and some well-placed free agents. After all, if you let some of the better players leave because you’re afraid of the cap, all you’re going to be doing is signing guys, drafting guys, or using less talented backups to fill in for them.
There’s no guarantee that any of those concepts actually improves the position. You have a better chance of keeping your team competitive by keeping as many known variables in place as you can. That’s why we found the five players the Browns have to consider giving new contracts to. We’re not advocating for overpaying any of these guys, but they all deserve a new deal.