Browns' cap gymnastics push for a younger roster as dead-cap hits loom

Cleveland GM Andrew Berry has used contract restructurings and dummy years to create current salary-cap space, but the Browns face heavy dead-cap charges in 2026 from departed players such as Bitonio, Conklin, Njoku, Teller, and the voided Watson years, with post-June 1 designations spreading some charges into 2026–27 and looming further hits through 2027–28; the strategy prioritizes a younger roster and draft leverage, at the cost of compensatory picks and long-term financial exposure.