Following the massive blockbuster trade agreement between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans to acquire quarterback Deshaun Watson on Friday, Browns EVP/GM Andrew Berry has been busy making a flurry of moves as the team aims to supplement the rest of the roster.
With the looming fate of quarterback Baker Mayfield, the Browns reportedly will be completely reshaping the position room, trading Case Keenum to the Buffalo Bills for a 2022 7th round pick. Keenum, 34, was due a $1 million roster bonus on Friday, which the Browns paid prior to trading him to Buffalo.
Keenum played in nine games for the Cleveland Browns over two seasons where he threw for 508 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. The trade saves the club about $6 million in cap space.
With Watson possibly facing a suspension from the NFL, the team needed a backup who could start if Watson were to miss time. Berry quickly found his passer in free agent quarterback Jacoby Brissett. The terms of the contract have yet to be reported at the time of writing.
Brissett, 29, started five games for the Miami Dolphins in 2021, throwing for 1283 yards, along with five touchdowns and four interceptions. He also started 15 games for the Indianapolis Colts in 2019, where he was teammates with current Browns linebacker Anthony Walker. He had a 7-8 record with 2942 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and just six interceptions.
As if the movement in the quarterback room was not enough, the team reportedly will also be restructuring the contract of star wide receiver Amari Cooper, freeing up about $15 million dollars in cap space.
Cooper, 27, does not have much guaranteed money in his remaining three years on his contract, so a restructure helps both parties, especially with the cap potentially raising in the coming seasons.
Between the Cooper restructure and Keenum trade, the Browns saved roughly $21 million on Saturday alone, with another $18 million set to come off the books when the team moves Mayfield. With the buzz surround Watson and the Browns around the league, it’s clear that Andrew Berry and the Browns are ready to be aggressive on the trade and free agent market.
