4 reasons the Cleveland Browns may in fact land DeAndre Hopkins
By Chad Porto
2. The Cleveland Browns are clearing cap space
One of the reasons that the Cleveland Browns are considered to be a long shot to land DeAndre Hopkins, and really the only one that makes sense, is the fact that they have very little cap space left. None of that is untrue, the Cleveland Browns only have so much money to spend. The concern, however, shouldn’t be about that, however.
The team is going to have to blow up this roster next year anyway, more than likely, so why not go for broke this year when you have the chance? More than likely you’re going to see a lot of mainstays get cut next offseason. The competitive window, for the most part, will be closed. 2023 is the season to push it all in.
More to that point, the Browns do in fact have the space to offer him a deal he wants. They currently have $15 million worth of cap space remaining, after the release of Joe Haeg. A move is done, seemingly, to help clear cap space to in fact go after Hopkins.
The Cleveland Browns released Joe Haeg, saving $2 million dollars. The idea of the Browns maintaining cap space each year to avoid having to blow up the roster all went out the window when they overpaid for Deshaun Watson in the first place, so there’s no reason to start penny-pinching now.