Moves by GM Andrew Berry place Cleveland Browns in prime salary cap position

"Wizard" may be the most apropos description for Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berr y.

Berry has not only built a competitive roster that many rank as one of the NFL’s best, but he’s primed the team for the future with moves that provide them with plenty of breathing room under the salary cap.

In recently restructuring quarterback Deshaun Watson’s contract , converting his 2024 base salary to a signing bonus, Berry put the Browns $62 million under the cap — the most in the league — according to reports.

That move likely means one thing: Watson is here for the duration of his contract, primarily because his cap hits are worth $72.9 million in the 2025 and 2026 seasons, with the dead cap hits for each season coming in at $172.7 million and $99.8 million respectively.

Many expect the Browns to carry much of that salary cap space into the 2025 season. Considering the team will have approximately 20 free agents in 2025, including wide receivers Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore, running back Nick Chubb and left tackle Jedrick Wills, Berry will have decisions to make.

Notice something about those names? Berry has built a core of talented players around which he constructs the roster. With the exception of Cooper, whose deal was restructured this year , none of the team’s 10 highest players are on that list of upcoming free agents.

Which Browns are the highest paid on the team?

According to sportrac.com, these are the 10 highest paid members of the Browns:

• QB Deshaun Watson ($27,9432,678)
• DE Myles Garrett ($20, 168,895)
• CB Denzel Ward ($12,138,918)
• G Joel Bitonio ($12,135,000)
• G Wyatt Teller ($11,610,300)
• RT Jack Conklin ($10,560,406)
• TE David Njoku ($9,645,000)
• WR Amari Cooper ($8,744,000)
• DT Dalvin Tomlison ($6,502,000)
• DT Za’Darius Smith ($5,235,000)

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Moves by GM Andrew Berry place Cleveland Browns in prime salary cap position