The Cleveland Browns made one bigger move so far this offseason with the use of the franchise tag on TE David Njoku. They’ve made other smaller moves including bringing back multiple players on future/reserve deals earlier this offseason and tendering three players making them exclusive rights free agents recently.
Following the Njoku news, there was some thought that it would lead to the team moving on from Austin Hooper. The former Atlanta Falcons tight end was one of two big moves early in Andrew Berry’s first year with Cleveland. The other, Jack Conklin, will be sticking around for another year after restructuring his deal this offseason.
According to Over the Cap, Hooper’s contract has some interesting financial particulars. As is, the tight end costs $13.25 million against the cap in 2022, the fourth largest on the team. If he is cut with a “June 1st designation,” the team saves $9.5 million this year against the cap but he will cost $7.5 million next year and $3.75 the year after that.
