The Cleveland Browns and two members of their 2020 draft class struck deals to restructure their original rookie deals. Both tight end Harrison Bryant and defensive tackle Jordan Elliott elected to take a lower base salary to add guaranteed money back into their contracts. Both will still be free agents at the end of the 2023 season, but what they did do was guarantee themselves a roster spot this year.
Before these new deals, neither Bryant nor Elliott had any guaranteed money left on their contracts. By trading less money for a far larger guaranteed sum, Elliott and Bryant are playing the long game. While the guaranteed money (just over $1 million to both) is not exponential and could still be eaten by the Browns to move on, that move now seems quite unlikely.
The two fourth-year players now have the opportunity to earn up to $4 million in incentives as well should their play back up a higher payday on the field.
While their fate beyond their fourth season in 2023 with the Browns is uncertain, they now have clarity this year.
