Is it time for the Cleveland Browns to consider replacing Harrison Bryant

The Cleveland Browns may be looking at a new tight end but should they be?

The Cleveland Browns spent a lot of money on tight ends last offseason with a brand new deal to David Njoku. The deal didn’t pan out as many had hoped and Njoku had a less-than-impressive season. It wasn’t bad by any means, but you expected more for what he’s making. His uninspiring performance has had many re-evaluating the position as a whole.

Njoku isn’t going anywhere, but the Browns don’t have a reliable third tight end, and the backup they do have, Harrison Bryant, isn’t exactly living up to his lofty billing as a draft pick. Some of it has to do with not getting enough of a chance, but some of it is him not making plays when given an opportunity.

Harrison’s deal is also coming up. He’s in the last year of his contract and with how bad the Browns are looking financially over the next few years, re-signing a guy like Bryant may not even be feasible. So some people have started suggesting replacing Bryant this year, or if not replace, at least bringing in a name that could push him.

Our sister site Dawg Pound Daily has suggested current Cinicnninatti Bengal tight end Hayden Hurst. Hust, 29, has bounced around the league so far and is a free agent heading into the 2023 offseason.

Pushing Harrison Bryant makes sense but the Cleveland Browns can’t afford to spend money on high-priced backups

Currently, Hurst is making $3.5 million for the 2022 season. He’s an older player, yes, but he’s still young enough to get a multi-year deal. He’s been the starter for the Bengals for most of the year and has warranted a multi-year contract and a raise. Sure, he may only be asking for a million or so more per year, but the Browns are projected to be way over the cap as is, and that’s without re-signing any current free agents or signing draft picks.

The team can keep kicking owed money down the road, but that money will still be owed eventually. They can’t keep deferring payments to year three or four, because that’ll impact how those teams can build a roster. As long as the disgraced Deshaun Watson is on this team, the Browns have to prioritize being competitive.

They can’t be competitive if they’re paying $20-$30 million in dead cap money to guys who aren’t even on the team anymore. So restructuring and kicking owed money down the line just isn’t responsible.

That means the team is going to have to cut guys this year, and that means replacing them with low-cost replacements. Giving a guy like Hurst $15 million or so over three years just isn’t prudent or financially responsible.

If the Browns really want to push Brant, it’s going to have to come in the form of a rookie, not a moderately priced veteran.