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Largest 2023 Cap Hits: Defense

July 12th, 2023 at 9:52am CST by Sam Robinson

While the NFL’s top 2023 cap hits go to players on offense, a number of pass rushers are tied to lofty figures as well. None check in higher than Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams.

Williams and Chiefs D-tackle Chris Jones carry high contract-year cap hits, while the Steelers’ two front-seven cornerstones each are set to go into training camp with cap figures north of $20MM. As the salary cap climbed to $224.8MM this year, here are the top defensive cap figures as camps near:

Leonard Williams, DL (Giants): $32.26MM
T.J. Watt, OLB (Steelers): $29.37MM
Myles Garrett, DE (Browns): $29.18MM
Chris Jones, DT (Chiefs): $28.29MM
Aaron Donald, DL (Rams): $26MM
Arik Armstead, DT (49ers): $23.95MM
Cameron Heyward, DL (Steelers): $22.26MM
C.J. Mosley, LB (Jets): $21.48MM
Jonathan Allen, DT (Commanders): $21.44MM
Shaquil Barrett, OLB (Buccaneers): $21.25MM
Grady Jarrett, DT (Falcons): $20.63MM
Marlon Humphrey, CB (Ravens): $19.99MM
Shaquille Leonard, LB (Colts): $19.79MM
Kevin Byard, S (Titans): $19.62MM
Adoree’ Jackson, CB (Giants): $19.08MM
Harold Landry, OLB (Titans): $18.8MM
Justin Simmons, S (Broncos): $18.15MM
Jamal Adams, S (Seahawks): $18.11MM
Matt Judon, DE (Patriots): $18.107MM
Quandre Diggs, S (Seahawks): $18.1MM
Nick Bosa, DE (49ers): $17.9MM
DeForest Buckner, DT (Colts): $17.25MM
Emmanuel Ogbah, DE (Dolphins): $17.19MM
DeMarcus Lawrence, DE (Cowboys): $17.11MM
Eddie Jackson, S (Bears): $17.1MM

The Chiefs are working toward a second extension agreement with Jones, who is in the final season of a four-year, $80MM contract. A new deal with the star inside pass rusher would free up cap space, and DeAndre Hopkins is believed to be monitoring this situation.

As for Williams, the Giants had wanted to adjust his deal to reduce his eye-opening cap number. As of mid-June, however, no extension appeared to be on the team’s radar. The previous Giants regime signed off on the 2021 Williams extension (three years, $63MM). The Giants are also uninterested — for the time being, at least — in extending Jackson, who was also a Dave Gettleman-era defensive addition.

Donald is in the second season of a three-year, $95MM deal. The Rams gave Donald a landmark raise last year, convincing the all-everything D-tackle to squash retirement talk. A no-trade clause exists in Donald’s contract, which pays out its guarantees this year. Mosley remains tied to the $17MM-per-year deal the Mike Maccagnan regime authorized with the Jets. That contract, which reset the off-ball linebacker market in 2019, still has two seasons remaining on it due to the deal tolling after Mosley’s 2020 COVID-19 opt-out call. The Jets restructured the deal last year.

Washington now has two D-tackles tied to deals of at least $18MM per year. While Daron Payne‘s pact is worth more ($22.5MM AAV), higher cap hits on that deal will come down the road. Three years remain on Allen’s 2021 agreement. At safety, no team is spending like the Seahawks. In addition to the big-ticket deals authorized for Adams and Diggs, Seattle gave ex-Giants starter Julian Love a two-year, $6MM accord in March.

New Titans GM Ran Carthon attempted to give Byard a pay cut. That request did not go over well, but the standout safety remains with the team and has not requested a trade. Tennessee re-signed Landry on a five-year, $87.5MM deal in 2022; the veteran edge rusher has yet to play on that deal due to the ACL tear he sustained just before last season.

The 49ers can bring Bosa’s number down via an extension, which has long been on the team’s docket. As San Francisco extended Deebo Samuel just after training camp began last year, Bosa received back-burner treatment due to the fifth-year option. The star defensive end’s price undoubtedly went up during the waiting period, with the former No. 2 overall pick earning Defensive Player of the Year acclaim in the fourth year of his rookie contract.

AFC North Notes: Browns, Monken, Ravens

June 9th, 2023 at 8:03pm CST by Ely Allen

With Jim Schwartz returning to Cleveland after 28 years, then as a scout, now as defensive coordinator, there are some expected changes to how the Browns‘ defense will get things done. Thanks to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, we have a bit of insight into just how things might change in the secondary under Schwartz.

At safety, the team exchanged starter John Johnson III with Juan Thornhill while also bringing in veteran Rodney McLeod, as well. Schwartz brings two interesting factors to the safety position: he likes to play three at one time often and he expects versatility. He doesn’t strictly prescribe to free and strong safety assignments but more often tends to focus on sides of the field. Grant Delpit, Thornhill, and McLeod will be interchangeable and will be asked to line up in many areas.

Versatility will be expected of the cornerbacks, as well, as Schwartz has reportedly been crosstraining all of Cleveland’s defensive backs in the slot. This is welcome news for Greg Newsome II, who reportedly wanted to play more to his strengths on the outside this year. He won’t solely work outside, but with Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson also getting work as nickelbacks this summer, Newsome won’t be asked to shoulder the load in the slot alone.

Here are a few more rumors from around the AFC North:

Schwartz is excited to be bringing together two strong pass rushers in Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith on the Browns’ defensive line, according to Cabot. After a year in which Jadeveon Clowney failed to mesh with Garrett, Schwartz is excited about the flexibility that Smith brings to the table. For one, he’s already had the experience of working across from talented pass rushers like Danielle Hunter, Preston Smith, Matt Judon, Terrell Suggs, and Elvis Dumervil. Secondly, Smith provides a versatile attack that allows him to rush from either side, as well as from the interior, when needed.
After four years under a huddle-first Greg Roman offense, the Ravens will allow quarterback Lamar Jackson a bit more agency in the offense under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken. According to a report from ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, Jackson will be given more freedom to audible and make adjustments at the line this season. This is not completely foreign to the recently extended quarterback. Baltimore experimented with this type of offense in a Week 2 game last year against the Dolphins as a counter to Miami’s pressure package. In that game, Jackson threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns while adding 119 yards and a touchdown on the ground, as well. The Ravens will hope to see more of that in 2023, as Jackson is presented with more opportunities to truly lead the offense.
We mentioned about two weeks ago that Ravens second-year tackle Daniel Faalele was a candidate to replace former starting left guard Ben Powers, who departed for Denver in free agency in March. Knowing Faalele’s importance in his current role as one of the team’s primary backup tackles, we boiled it down to a battle between Ben Cleveland and John Simpson. A recent report from Hensley, though, claims that head coach John Harbaugh spoke highly of Faalele at the position and refused to rule him out as a potential starter. He praised Simpson’s performance in the position, as well, but it may be time to start considering Faalele as one of the top candidates to start next year.

Latest On Browns DE Jadeveon Clowney

January 7th, 2023 at 9:22am CST by Ben Levine

After being sent home by the Browns earlier this week, Jadeveon Clowney predictably won’t play tomorrow. According to Josina Anderson (on Twitter), Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told his players that Clowney won’t be playing against the Steelers on Sunday.

Clowney was sent home from practice on Friday, a day after he said in an interview that there was a 5 percent chance he’d be back in Cleveland next season. In that same interview with Cleveland.com, Clowney also questioned if the organization believes in his abilities, and he seemed to take a shot at the usage of fellow pass rusher Myles Garrett when he said the Browns were “trying to get somebody into the Hall of Fame when all that matters is winning.”

Garrett subtly responded to Clowney’s assertion, saying the Browns want “volunteers, not hostages.”

“If you feel like no one believes in you here, then go,” Garrett told Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. “Go where you feel like you’re wanted, you’re loved and you can be appreciated.”

Clowney’s interview with Cleveland.com was on Thursday, but despite his comments, the player was still in the building for a positional meeting on Friday, per Easterling. Defensive line coach Chris Kiffin ended up addressing the comments, at which point Clowney left the building. Kiffin wouldn’t discuss what was said during the meeting, although he opined to Easterling that Clowney “handled it the wrong way as a man.” Clowney also spoke with Stefanski before leaving the facility.

“JD is somebody who I respect,” Stefanski said (via Easterling). “He is a veteran. We have had conversations, yes, but I just don’t think it is fair in this setting [to talk about those conversations]. I understand the question — I do — but I just think it is fair to our team that we keep those conversations internal.”

The former Texans, Seahawks and Titans pass rusher is finishing out a one-year, $10MM deal with the Browns.

Browns Send DE Jadeveon Clowney Home Following Remarks About Usage, Cleveland Future

January 6th, 2023 at 10:11am CST by Sam Robinson

Jadeveon Clowney has signed one-year contracts with the Browns in each of the past two offseasons, waiting weeks into free agency to do so on each occasion. While a recent report indicated another such scenario should not be ruled out, events of the past two days certainly point Clowney out of town.

The former No. 1 overall pick told cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot there is roughly a 5% chance he returns to the Browns in 2023. These comments do not look to have gone over well with Browns brass. The team sent Clowney home Friday, Cabot reports, adding his status for Sunday’s season finale is uncertain.

“Ninety-five percent sure I won’t be back,” Clowney said, via Cabot. “But there’s still that 5%. You never know what can happen. I just feel like I need to be around somebody that believes in me and my ability. [It can’t] just be me believing in myself. I believe in myself more than anybody.”

Clowney, 29, played well opposite Myles Garrett in 2021, staying mostly healthy and registering nine sacks. This season, Clowney has been less productive. He has posted just two sacks in 12 games, totaling just four QB hits — his lowest total since a rookie season that ended after four games. While a 13-game season would represent a fairly decent participation rate for the injury-prone talent, he is displeased with how the Browns have used him. During the 12 games in which he has suited up, Clowney has played 63% of the team’s defensive snaps.

The three-time Pro Bowler said he believes the Browns, at certain points, have opted to showcase Garrett by aligning him opposite beatable tackles. Garrett, the team’s top player who is pushing for another All-Pro nod, has 15 sacks this season and is continuing on a Hall of Fame trajectory. Garrett’s 15 sacks lead the team by a staggering margin; no other Browns performer enters Week 18 with more than three.

“You’re all trying to get somebody into the Hall of Fame when all that matters is winning,” Clowney said. “Everybody got here for a reason, and we can all make plays. I know I am. I don’t even think [Garrett] notices [the position switches]. I ain’t trying to say it’s him. I try to get along with everybody I play with. Me and him don’t have a problem. It ain’t his fault, and it’s B.S., and I don’t have time for it.”

Clowney’s status as Garrett’s sidekick has been fairly clear since he signed with Cleveland, but his comments regarding the team prioritizing Garrett stats over wins obviously have not gone over well. Clowney pointed toward DC Joe Woods‘ potential departure as a reason he could be back. Woods is on the hot seat, Cabot adds, and said Thursday he is uncertain on whether he will be asked back for a fourth season. The Browns, who have played better defensively as of late, rank 18th in points allowed and 12th in yards yielded.

The former Texans, Seahawks and Titans pass rusher is finishing out a one-year, $10MM deal; he played for $8.25MM in 2021. Clowney, who played on both the fifth-year option and franchise tag, never secured the long-term deal that once seemed certain. Injuries intervened, and he has not quite lived up to expectations despite displaying versatility during his pro career. Interest will come his way again in 2023, but his comments ahead of the Browns’ season finale could throw a wrench in a third Cleveland campaign.

Browns Rule Out Myles Garrett For Week 4

October 2nd, 2022 at 7:38am CST by Sam Robinson

OCTOBER 2: Per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, the shoulder injury is considered the more serious of Garrett’s two major ailments, and it is expected to affect him for up to a month. However, both Schefter and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) report that Garrett could return as early as next week for Cleveland’s Week 5 bout with the Chargers.

OCTOBER 1: The car accident in which Myles Garrett‘s 2021 Porsche flipped multiple times produced multiple injuries, and while the All-Pro defensive end returned to the Browns’ facility this week, he will not be back on the field in Week 4.

The Browns ruled out Garrett for their Falcons matchup. Monday’s accident left Garrett with a shoulder sprain and biceps strain, along with cuts in other places. After not practicing upon returning, Garrett will have another week to heal up.

This news is not especially surprising, and the outcome of Garrett’s single-car accident Monday afternoon could obviously have been considerably worse. As for the Browns, they could be significantly shorthanded at defensive end. Jadeveon Clowney remains questionable to play against the Falcons, after missing Week 3 due to an ankle injury. But the older of Cleveland’s two former No. 1 overall picks did not practice this week. That is usually an indicator of a player’s impending absence.

Although injury trouble has largely defined Clowney’s NFL career, Garrett has not missed a game due to injury since his 2017 rookie season. His six-game 2019 suspension and a COVID-19 contraction the following season led to Garrett’s only absences in the years since. Since returning after his helmet strike on Mason Rudolph, the Browns’ top pass rusher has accumulated two first-team All-Pro honors. Garrett, 26, is riding a string of four double-digit sack seasons.

The Browns rank 13th in total defense, tightening up against the Steelers after a Week 2 meltdown against the Jets. But removing Garrett from the equation will be a new challenge. The Browns used a third-round pick on Alex Wright and started him in Clowney’s place in Week 3. Wright has played 52% of the Browns’ defensive snaps thus far, and the 6-foot-7 defensive end already has two pass batdowns as a pro. The team has veteran Isaac Rochell and seventh-round rookie Isaiah Thomas on its 53-man roster at the position as well.

Myles Garrett Cited For Failure To Control Vehicle; DE Has Chance To Play In Week 4

September 29th, 2022 at 12:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the car accident the led to a hospitalization, Myles Garrett was back at the Browns’ facility Thursday. Although Garrett did not practice, Browns DC Joe Woods said he has a chance to play this week.

Garrett suffered a shoulder sprain and biceps strain in Monday’s one-car accident, along with a cut on his right hand, and the crash report (via cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot) indicates Garrett reported pain in the left side of his face. Both Garrett and the female passenger in his 2021 Porsche, Yiana Tjotjos, were discharged from an Akron hospital Monday night.

Garrett, 26, was cited for failure to control his vehicle, per Cabot, who adds the sixth-year defensive end was driving 65 mph in a 45-mph zone in Sharon Township, Ohio. Garrett’s car hit a ditch and a fire hydrant and flipped “several times.” An observer counted three flips during the crash, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The crash remains under investigation.

This marks another speed-related violation for Garrett, whom WKYC.com notes has been stopped for speeding at least six times since his 2017 Cleveland arrival. Two of those instances involved going over 100 mph; both occurred within a 24-hour period, according to the TV station. Those two stops took place in September 2021 on a highway south of Cleveland. Garrett was also cited for driving 100 mph in a 65-mph zone in May 2020.

Jadeveon Clowney did not practice Wednesday or Thursday due to an ankle injury that kept him out of the Browns’ Week 3 game, though Kevin Stefanski said the former No. 1 overall pick has a chance to play against the Falcons. Clowney and Garrett missing that game would certainly leave Cleveland’s pass rush shorthanded. The Browns have rookie Alex Wright, who started in place of Clowney in Week 3, along with veteran Isaac Rochell and 2022 seventh-round pick Isaiah Thomas at defensive end. The team would undoubtedly make a roster move to add a fourth active-roster D-end in the event Garrett and Clowney are ruled out.

Latest On Browns DE Myles Garrett

September 27th, 2022 at 9:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Myles Garrett sustained multiple injuries in a Monday car accident, and although the Browns defensive end was released from the hospital Monday night, his season may be paused for a bit.

Garrett sustained a shoulder sprain and biceps strain in the accident, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports, adding that the sixth-year pass rusher also suffered lacerations during the single-car accident (Twitter link). Garrett crashed his 2021 Porsche after leaving the Browns’ facility. The vehicle flipped several times, according to News5Cleveland.com.

The Browns confirmed Garrett did not sustain any fractures and confirmed he has cleared concussion protocol. The female passenger who was with Garrett also did not sustain serious injuries, according to the team. All things considered, Garrett came out of this incident fortunate, even if he is forced to miss games as a result.

Garrett, 26, did not miss a game last season and has been a first-team All-Pro in each of the past two years. The star edge defender missed two games in 2020 due to COVID-19 but has not missed a game due to injury since his 2017 rookie season. Garrett was banned for six contests in 2019, after his infamous helmet strike on Mason Rudolph.

In the offseason following his suspension, the Browns gave Garrett a then-defender-record five-year, $125MM extension. The former No. 1 overall pick has rewarded his team, registering 28 sacks from 2020-21. Teaming with Jadeveon Clowney again, the Texas A&M product has three thus far this year. Clowney’s status becomes more important now, too. The ninth-year defensive end missed Cleveland’s Week 3 game with an ankle injury. The Browns have not ruled him out for their Week 4 tilt against the Falcons.

Browns’ Baker Mayfield, Myles Garrett Expected To Be Active Today

December 25th, 2021 at 9:51am CST by Ben Levine

The Browns will have their top QBs available for this afternoon’s showdown with the Packers. The team reported that QB Case Keenum has cleared protocols and accompanied starter Baker Mayfield to Green Bay. Mayfield posted an IG story this morning showing him arriving in Green Bay for the afternoon game (via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com on Twitter).

Per Stacey Dales of NFL Network (on Twitter), Mayfield is “ready to roll,” and his “body feels the healthiest it’s been in a while.” The QB was asymptomatic during his stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but he stayed “very involved virtually” for his eventual return. Mayfield tested positive for the coronavirus December 15 but could not navigate the return protocol until yesterday. Now, he’ll have a chance to guide Cleveland to a crucial win against the top team in the league.

Keenum landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on December 17, forcing him to miss a potential start against the Raiders (a start that ultimately went to Nick Mullens). The veteran got one start filling in for Mayfield earlier this season, completing 21 of his 33 pass attempts for 199 yards and one touchdown in a win over the Broncos.

Myles Garrett is also planning on playing this afternoon. The star pass rusher is listed as questionable with a groin injury, but Garrett told Cabot that he has no intention of missing the Christmas game.

“I feel like I’ll play regardless of how I feel,” Garrett said. “I haven’t practiced, so we’ll see. But I’m going to go out there and give my all. We’ve got to win out to make the playoffs and I’m going to play in every second of the game that I can.”

Browns Place S Ronnie Harrison On IR, Activate Myles Garrett

December 1st, 2020 at 11:14am CST by Zachary Links

The Browns have activated defensive end Myles Garrett from the reserve/COVID-19 list. To make room on the roster, they’ve placed safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

Garrett was leading the NFL in sacks up until he was placed on the reserve list in November. After missing the last two games, his 9.5 sacks are still good for a second-place tie with Saints DE Trey Hendrickson. Rams star Aaron Donald now leads the pack with ten sacks.

The Browns have managed to stay hot without Garrett, beating the Eagles and Jaguars over the last two weeks. Now, they’ll have him back on the field just in the nick of time for this week’s game against the 8-3 Titans.

Harrison, 23, has been first string for the Browns since Week 5. Unfortunately, he went down on the very first play against the Jaguars — his former team — and his MRI revealed a serious tear. It’s just the latest blow to a Browns secondary that has also lost safety Grant Delpit and cornerback Greedy Williams to injury. Despite it all, the Browns are 8-3 and on track to snap the NFL’s longest playoff drought.

Latest On Browns’ Myles Garrett

November 23rd, 2020 at 11:22am CST by Zachary Links

Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett will remain on the COVID-19 reserve list this week, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. With that, Garrett will be held out of Sunday’s contest against the Jaguars, marking his second straight missed game.

Garrett was parked the reserve list last week, keeping him out of their Week 11 game against the Eagles. They still managed to win 22-17 without their top defensive player, thanks to Sione Takitaki’s pick-six and Olivier Vernon’s sack/safety. The front seven delivered, just in the nick of time. Heading into Week 11, Garrett had 9.5 sacks to lead the league while everyone else on the Browns had combined for just 12.5 sacks.

The Browns are now 7-3, but they’ll have to continue their playoff push without Garrett for at least one more week. Per the NFL’s coronavirus protocols, Garrett can’t return to the team until at least 24 hours after his symptoms have passed. There’s no word yet on his status or specifics on any symptoms that Garrett may have experienced since he was placed on the reserve list.

If the Browns keep things up, they’ll have an opportunity to snap their 18-year playoff drought, the longest in the NFL.