“March Madness” is usually reserved to describe NCAA basketball tournaments and the madness that surrounds the event. The NFL, however, has its own version of March Madness: free agency.
The league year begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. However, starting Monday at noon, team reps and agents can start talking about — and essentially closing — a deal for literally dozens of players.
The Browns, coming off a second straight losing season, are expected to be among the active teams when free agency goes into effect. Some of their moves may involve trades, but regardless, they’re going to be looking for established NFL players to add to their roster.
Here’s a one-stop-shop to track all the moves the Browns make throughout one of the busiest weeks on the NFL schedule:
Deshaun Watson, as expected, restructured the deal
The first move the Browns needed to make before doing anything was to restructure quarterback Deshaun Watson’s deal. That’s exactly what they did on Monday morning.
A league source confirmed to The Beacon Journal on Monday morning that the team had restructured Watson’s base salary from $46 million to free up nearly $36 million in cap space, just hours before the start of the NFL’s legal tampering period. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was the first to report.
Deshaun Watson’s deal has been reworked:Browns restructures Deshaun Watson deal to create nearly $36 million in cap space
According to Spotrac, the Browns converted $44.835 million of Watson’s salary into a signing bonus, while adding a zero year in 2027. The move freed up $35.868 million in cap space, down from a high of $54.993 million. dollars.
Watson’s base salary in 2023 will be $1.165 million. The new cap for Watson this season is $19.125 million. The next three seasons, 2024-26, the number will be $63.96 million, while there will be a zero year of $8.967 million in 2027.
Cornerback AJ Green to return to one-year deal
The first move the Browns made on the eve of the legal tampering window opening was with one of their own. A league source confirmed to The Beacon Journal that the team is bringing back cornerback AJ Green on a one-year contract.
Green was one of three players on the 2022 roster who were exclusive royalty-free agents. The Browns offered the other two — cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. and defensive tackle Ben Stille — earlier this month, but didn’t initially do so for Green.
Learn more about AJ Green:‘I’m just waiting for my opportunity’: Browns’ AJ Green makes the most of his chance with his pick
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent from Oklahoma State in 2020, Green has gone on to become a solid depth play in the secondary. He has played in 31 career regular season games and one playoff game with the Browns, including all 17 games in 2022.
For his career, Green has 39 combined tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and seven passes defended.
Cleveland Browns free agents as of 2022 roster
The Browns have 18 players on their 2022 roster who are unrestricted free agents. They have another free agent with compensation.
Among those free agents, the most notable are quarterback Jacoby Brissett, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and running back Kareem Hunt. These three players should leave.
D’Ernest Johnson looks to the future:Browns running back D’Ernest Johnson laments lack of ‘opportunities’ as free agency awaits
The Browns believe they have a chance to bring back at least one of Anthony Walker Jr. or Sione Takitaki, two of their three starting linebackers last year before the two finished the season on injured reserve. Center Ethan Pocic is another they could bring back, depending on the market.
Unrestricted Free Agents
(* – indicates they finished the season on injured reserve)
Quarterbacks
Jacoby Brisset
Running backs
hunt kareem
by Ernest Johnson
tight ends
Brown Pharaoh
*Jesse James
Center
Ethan Pocic
Offensive tackle
Chris Hubbard
defensive tackle
Taven Bryan
defensive end
Jadeveon Clowney
*Stephen Weatherley
Chase Winovitch
linebacker
Deion Jones
*Jordan Kunaszyk
Reggie Ragland
* Sione Takitaki
*Anthony Walker Jr.
Cornerback
Greedy Williams
Security
Ronnie Harrison Jr.
Restricted Free Agents
Offensive tackle
*Michael Dunn
defensive end
*Chris Odome
Exclusive Restricted Free Agent
defensive tackle
Ben Stille — Submitted March 7
Cornerback
Thomas Graham Jr. — Submitted March 7
AJ Green – Re-signed March 12
More Cleveland Browns offseason coverage
Introduction to Cleveland Browns Free Agency:Five players to watch at five positions of need
Browns’ Offseason Success Guide:The Cleveland Browns’ path to a successful offseason: Here’s a five-step plan to win
Andrew Berry moves to free up ceiling space:Cleveland Browns to release John Johnson III in maneuver to create cap space
A possible Browns-OBJ reunion? :Cleveland Browns among teams showing ‘diligence’ in private practice for Odell Beckham Jr.
What is the NFL’s “legal tampering” period?
Beginning Monday at 12:00 p.m. and ending Wednesday at 3:59 p.m., NFL teams can contact and negotiate contracts with free agents without restriction.
No potential unrestricted free agent is allowed to execute a contract with a team before 4:00 p.m. on March 15.
Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.
On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns NFL free agency/trade tracker: Stay up to date on moves
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