The Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns have both had interesting off-seasons so far. The Packers have moved on from some cornerstone players while also bringing in some new, younger ones. They’ve also completely revamped their defensive coaching staff, headlined by new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
The Browns moved on from quarterback Joe Flacco as they still have Deshaun Watson under contract for the foreseeable future. They also traded for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in a blockbuster trade. Star running back Nick Chubb also took a significant pay cut to stay with the team.
Now a trade between the two franchises is gaining steam prior to the 2024 NFL Draft.
One Green Bay Packers – Cleveland Browns Trade Is Starting To Gain Steam
Max Dible of Heave On Packers highlighted how Kenny Clark to the Browns is starting to gain steam:
Browns Strong Candidates to Spend, Even Despite Salary Cap Constraints
The Browns aren’t exactly the model franchise for salary cap space heading into the 2024 campaign, with roughly $3.9 million at their disposal as of Sunday and five potential draft picks for whom they must account later this month.
That said, Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry and his cap staff are known for their financial wizardry around the league and the team is in full-go mode toward the Super Bowl window it has feasibly opened over the next two or three seasons. If an expensive player like Clark makes sense, even for just one year, no one should put it past the Browns to at least take a swing.
The Browns just reworked running back Nick Chubb’s contract to lower his base salary and cap hit without locking themselves into an extension before he proves he can return healthy from knee surgery.
Meanwhile, the franchise can save significant money by extending wide receiver Amari Cooper on a multiyear deal, thereby reducing his onerous 2024 cap hit of nearly $24 million by an as of yet untold amount.
As such, if Clark is in play, the Browns can get in the game for him after the draft concludes later this month.
Kenny Clark 3rd down sack 😮💨
pic.twitter.com/P6Xmr8gsAq— Hogg (@HoggNFL) September 24, 2023
What Could The Browns Offer For Star DT Kenny Clark?
In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Browns had seven total picks entering the off-season.
The Browns, however, traded for WR Jerry Jeudy from the Broncos for a 2024 fifth-round and sixth-round pick during the opening of free agency.
Here’s where their five remaining draft picks fall this year:
- Round Two – #54
- Round Three – #85
- Round Five – #156
- Round Six – #206
- Round Seven – #243
It would be surprising to see the Browns be able to put together a trade package for Clark with just the 2024 picks they currently hol.
Clark is a three-time Pro Bowler (2019, 2021, 2023) with a four-year $70 million deal. According to Spotrac, his market value over a three-year contract would be $16.7 million per year (more than $50 million overall).
If the Packers don’t see themselves paying Clark that much for his next contract (2024 is the last year of his current contract) they may feel inclined to move on from him and get a haul in the process. However, it would be surprising to see the Packers ask for less than a first round pick for Clark.
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