As I sit here waiting for the videos of players reporting to Berea, let’s do a quick salary cap update because we now know the details of Dustin Hopkins contract extension. It was first reported he was the highest paid kicker in the NFL, but that’s not true, he’s the fifth highest paid kicker in the NFL. And he deserves every penny. According to https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/cleveland-browns, the Browns are $14.6 million under the cap. Hopkins received a three-year extension with 2024 and 2025 having guaranteed money. In 2024 it’s $5,562,500 and in 2025 it’s $2,800,00. His cap number for 2024 is $2,605,500, for 2025 it’s $2,893,500, for 2026 it’s $3,565,500 and for 2027 it’s $4,433,000. There’s a signing bonus worth $3.58 million and there are three voidable years. This extension saved the Browns $937,941 on the 2024 salary cap due to the extension’s makeup.
The Browns have two more player extensions to work on, wide receiver Amari Cooper and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. As reported by http://@StainbrookNFL, JOK’s extension is at a standstill. “#Browns and LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah have been in talks regarding a contract extension for “some now time,” but the sides are struggling to “see eye to eye” on a number figure. The hope is talks move in a positive direction before the start of the season, per a league source.” I have a feeling this will get worked out after the season starts unless JOK’s representatives shut down talks. Currently JOK’s cap number for 2024 is $2,060,617.
With Amari Cooper, talks are a little more complicated. Both sides have agreed to the money and contract length, but Cooper wants more guaranteed money in the second year. The problem is Cooper is 30 years old and had injuries the last two years. I’ve maintained the Browns should use the contract wide receiver Mike Evans signed with Tampa as an example. His cap number for 2024 is $5,568,000, for 2025 it’s $22,358,000 and there are three voidable years. Here are the contract notes from https://overthecap.com/: “Mike Evans signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers worth base value of $41 million with $29 million fully guaranteed, and a total guarantee of $35 million. Evans has a full guaranteed salary in 2024 and is due two roster bonuses in 2024. First roster bonus is due on March 18 worth $10 million, and the second roster bonus is due on April 4 worth $11.79 million. Evans has a $6 million guarantee in 2025 at signing with another $6 million vesting on the 5th day of the 2025 league year. An additional $11 million is available through performance incentives and escalators. The contract voids on the last day of the 2025 league year.” Evans is 31 years old, and I think Cooper’s side would be happy with a deal similar to this one.
Finally it appears Cooper will hold out from training camp until he gets his new deal and if he does, I’m not worried about it. He’s a veteran who’s worked with quarterback Deshaun Watson the last two years. On to training camp, stay safe and Go Browns.