DawgFan
In NFL HELL since 1964
We as Browns fans have long lamented the 5yr/$230M dollar contract given to DW, along with the 3-1st round picks (plus) given for the right to make that contract. But wait...there is sooooo much more.
The Browns have restructured this contract FIVE (5) times:
March, 2023 they added insurance
August 29, 2024 they converted $44.79M to signing bonus to create cap space
December 27, 2024 another rework due to season ending injury
March 6, 2025 they converted another $36M to signing bonus to create cap space
March 6, 2026 they again converted $44.7M to signing bonus
(they also created 2 dummy/voidable years in 2027 and 2028 to carry the bonus's until later)
But wait, there is more...
During the December 2024 restructuring the Browns added a POISON PILL of a $200M base salary for 2029. This is totally non-guaranteed but will become FULLY GUARANTEED if DW is on the roster by March 13, 2027.
All of the contract manipulations in the first 5 lines are understandable. Push the cap hit down the road in an effort to field a good team (hahaha, swing and a miss).
However, creating a $200M base salary for 2029 that becomes fully guaranteed if the is on the roster by March 13, 2027? Why? What is the purpose?
And just as important, WHY ANNOUNCE IT THE SAME DAY YOU ANNOUNCE HIM AS STARTER FOR 2026?!?!
I have seen some explanations and none of them make sense. Some imply it was to create a 'structure' of the end of the contract to ensure the Browns release him by then. Some say it has something to do with the post-June 1 cut...that it somehow enables that. Some just are too crazy to reiterate here.
The fact is, all this 'poison pill' does is to force the Browns to release him by March 13, 2027. If he sucks, release him. If he does well, release him. The only other option is to renegotiate a MINIMUM of a 3yr/$280M contract to encompass the remaining bonus's due and the $200M 2029 contract...and have that in BEFORE March 13, 2027.
So again, I ask why?
Obviously Monken had nothing to do with it, he wasn't here in 2024.
Just as obviously, Andrew Berry was in charge of writing it.
Very likely from the stat DW was a Jimmy Haslam interference case where he mandated we trade for him at any cost.
The trade cost (3 1sts plus plus plus) and the contract (unprecedented) made Berry look weak in NFL circles.
The only logical conclusion I can draw is that Andrew Berry put in the 'poison pill' to end the farce. To end the pain. To provide an almost sure-fire way to force DW out of Cleveland regardless of JH's interference. (Keep in mind, JH attended DW's wedding earlier this year). As for why announce the existence of the 'poison pill' the day DW is named starter? Pretty obvious it was an attempt to appease the Browns fanbase by telling them it's only this year. The mistake will be removed no later than March 13, 2027.
To God's Ears!!!
The Browns have restructured this contract FIVE (5) times:
March, 2023 they added insurance
August 29, 2024 they converted $44.79M to signing bonus to create cap space
December 27, 2024 another rework due to season ending injury
March 6, 2025 they converted another $36M to signing bonus to create cap space
March 6, 2026 they again converted $44.7M to signing bonus
(they also created 2 dummy/voidable years in 2027 and 2028 to carry the bonus's until later)
But wait, there is more...
During the December 2024 restructuring the Browns added a POISON PILL of a $200M base salary for 2029. This is totally non-guaranteed but will become FULLY GUARANTEED if DW is on the roster by March 13, 2027.
All of the contract manipulations in the first 5 lines are understandable. Push the cap hit down the road in an effort to field a good team (hahaha, swing and a miss).
However, creating a $200M base salary for 2029 that becomes fully guaranteed if the is on the roster by March 13, 2027? Why? What is the purpose?
And just as important, WHY ANNOUNCE IT THE SAME DAY YOU ANNOUNCE HIM AS STARTER FOR 2026?!?!
I have seen some explanations and none of them make sense. Some imply it was to create a 'structure' of the end of the contract to ensure the Browns release him by then. Some say it has something to do with the post-June 1 cut...that it somehow enables that. Some just are too crazy to reiterate here.
The fact is, all this 'poison pill' does is to force the Browns to release him by March 13, 2027. If he sucks, release him. If he does well, release him. The only other option is to renegotiate a MINIMUM of a 3yr/$280M contract to encompass the remaining bonus's due and the $200M 2029 contract...and have that in BEFORE March 13, 2027.
So again, I ask why?
Obviously Monken had nothing to do with it, he wasn't here in 2024.
Just as obviously, Andrew Berry was in charge of writing it.
Very likely from the stat DW was a Jimmy Haslam interference case where he mandated we trade for him at any cost.
The trade cost (3 1sts plus plus plus) and the contract (unprecedented) made Berry look weak in NFL circles.
The only logical conclusion I can draw is that Andrew Berry put in the 'poison pill' to end the farce. To end the pain. To provide an almost sure-fire way to force DW out of Cleveland regardless of JH's interference. (Keep in mind, JH attended DW's wedding earlier this year). As for why announce the existence of the 'poison pill' the day DW is named starter? Pretty obvious it was an attempt to appease the Browns fanbase by telling them it's only this year. The mistake will be removed no later than March 13, 2027.
To God's Ears!!!
