This Browns Starter Won't Be Back With the Team in 2021

The Cleveland Browns' evident playoff ambitions will be riding on the shoulders of quarterback Baker Mayfield in 2020 as first-year general manager Andrew Berry has spent the entire offseason addressing the team's weaknesses on both sides of the ball.

While that should see Cleveland drastically improve upon their 6-10 record from last season, the upgrades will likely push some players on expiring contracts out the door after the upcoming campaign.

Enter defensive end Olivier Vernon, who is entering the final season of the monster five-year, $85 million deal that he signed with the New York Giants in 2016 before he was traded to the Browns last March.

As things stand, Vernon will account for the largest salary ($15.25 million) and cap hit ($15.5 million) of any player on the Browns' roster this season. If the former Pro Bowler doesn't overcome his injury woes from 2019 and return to form, expect Cleveland to let him walk as a free agent next year. Even when he was on the field, the former third-round pick was largely ineffective. In 10 starts, he compiled just 26 combined tackles, 3.5 sacks and 11 QB hits.

Preparing for Vernon's exit would give the Browns more incentive to pursue star pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, who surprisingly remains a free agent. Money obviously isn't an issue for Cleveland, considering the team has the most cap space in the NFL at $37.4 million.

However, Vernon no longer eating up chunks of cap would give the franchise more flexibility to address the linebacker and cornerback positions. Any Browns fans will tell you those are their most glaring weaknesses.

Reports from earlier in the offseason even hinted that Cleveland was contemplating cutting Vernon, so expect this year to be the 29-year-old vet's last with the organization.