To say this has been a good off-season by Browns GM Andrew Berry is an understatement. He’s been bold and aggressive. If you don’t think the Browns are “all in” you’re not paying attention. The latest trade for three-time Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith proves that. Smith provides the veteran player opposite of Myles Garrett this team needed. Yes, he’s 31 years old coming off a knee injury, but he’s on a one-year contract playing for a paycheck next year. Smith also allows defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to rest Garrett during games while not weakening the defense. It was announced today that the Browns redid Smith’s contract. The Vikings will pick up $1.177 million in the form of a signing bonus. Smith’s cap hit for the Browns is $3.032 million. His contract is worth $13 million, so I would think there’s a signing bonus of over $9 million and three or four voidable years. The details will probably be out later this week.
So what do the Browns need next? I would say a running back and a veteran defensive tackle. As for the tackle, no one knows how Schwartz feels about the players on the current roster like Tommy Togiai, Jordan Elliott or Perion Winfrey. If’s he’s good with them, then so am I. As for running back, a social media account I’ve never heard of floated the notion that Ezekiel Elliott is down to two teams to choose from, the Browns and the Chargers. If he’s willing to be the RB2 and is cheap, why the hell not. I will note he’s declined in production every year since 2019. It was also announced the Browns signed cornerback Chris Westry. He’s a big corner who plays his best on special teams and probably headed for the practice squad when the season starts.
After last year I promised myself, I wouldn’t get too excited about the off-season. But of the three years prior, Andrew Berry has never been this aggressive. He continues to try to add talent and has still done a brilliant job at maintaining the salary cap. I know the season opener against the Bengals is a long way off, I’ll continue to curb my enthusiasm, but you have to admit this off season has been pretty, pretty good. Stay safe and Go Browns.