BREAKING NEWS: Browns sign $9 million player named…
The Cleveland Browns are facing a salary cap dilemma going into the summer, and it seems unlikely that the current team will make it to training camp without losing a few key players along the road.
On Wednesday, January 17, Spencer German of Sports Illustrated created a ranking of Cleveland’s top four salary cap casualty candidates. Elijah Moore, a wide receiver the organization acquired before the 2023 season, was one of them.
Moore, who was traded from the [New York] Jets to Cleveland in late March, had a mixed season. There were tremendous expectations placed on him almost immediately when the Browns revealed an Elijah Moore package during training camp. However, the results on the field just never seemed to materialize.
It’s uncommon, if ever, wise business to bail on a player for less than $2 million in savings in less than a year after giving up a second-round selection to get him. But now that the move is complete, it is much less insulting to consider cutting Moore.
Although they also acquired the Jets’ No. 74 overall selection in the third round, the Browns did forfeit their No. 42 overall pick in the 2023 draft in order to acquire the wide receiver. Moore was therefore acquired for a one-round, 25-spot selection exchange rather than a pick with the full value of the second round.
Due to this and the salary limit restrictions Cleveland has (the team is presently $13.86 million in the negative), it makes sense, at the very least, to contemplate trading for a player like Moore in order to save money.
According to Pro Football Reference, Moore had career highs in targets (104), catches (59), and receiving yards (640) during the previous season, although he wasn’t very important to the Browns’ offensive performance. At the conclusion of the season, he had added two touchdowns and was unquestionably the team’s No. 2 wide receiver option.
To be competitive with the best in the AFC, the Browns would likely need to sign a wide receiver to complement Amari Cooper, if Moore decides to stay in Cleveland. Moore’s four-year, $9 million rookie deal is set to expire in 2024, so he will continue to be a fairly priced slot receiver through that point.
When Moore becomes available for free agency in March 2025, it is likely that he will seek a significant increase on a multiyear contract. This could signal the end of Moore’s Cleveland career anyhow, as the Browns will be operating under cap constraints for the next three seasons, or until quarterback Deshaun Watson’s $230 million, five-year contract expires.
For Heavy.com, Max Dible covers the Golden State Warriors, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Cleveland Browns. Before joining Heavy, he worked as the news director for Pacific Media Group’s chain of Big Island radio stations as well as a reporter for West Hawaii Today, covering both local and state news. He also worked as the news director for BigIslandNow.com. Additional information on Max Dible
