The Cleveland Browns have adjusted the contracts of two players who find themselves in pivotal years of their young careers, Harrison Bryant and Jordan Elliott. Bryant and Elliott are both entering the final year of their rookie deals before becoming unrestricted free agents at season’s end.
For Elliott, this is the season that he needs to prove he belongs. It has not been a great start to his career so far and with the Browns beefing up their defensive line with the additions of Za’Darius Smith, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, there are no more excuses for the former 3rd round selection. A lack of quality talent outside of Myles Garrett in previous can be pointed as to why Elliott has not produced, but that is no longer the case.
Bryant is in a similar situation. The 25-year old tight end has not been able to be as big of a factor as the Browns hoped when they drafted him in 2020. While Bryant seems to be good for 25 catches per season, more is expected from someone who came out of college as a John Mackey Award winner.
The good news here is that the roster spots for Elliott and Bryant appear to be safe for this season. Whether or not the Browns decide to retain their services after the season depends on how they perform. With how things have gone up to this point, it seems rather unlikely, but stranger things have happened. There is talent there, but they just have to harness it and prove that they can be a meaningful part of Cleveland’s future.
