CLEVELAND — Having already been eliminated from postseason contention, the Cleveland Browns' Week 18 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday will double as their 2021 season finale.
As a result, several Browns players will likely be playing in their final game with the team as turnover on any NFL roster at the end of each season is ultimately inevitable.
Whether it be departing free agents, salary cap casualties and/or trade pieces, many players will likely be moving on from Cleveland this offseason. With that in mind, let's take a look at which Browns players could be playing in their final home game at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday.
Impending free agents
The following players on Cleveland's roster are currently in the final season of their contract:
- Jadeveon Clowney
- Chris Hubbard*
- Takkarist McKinley*
- Malik Jackson*
- Anthony Walker Jr.
- David Njoku
- Rashard Higgins
- M.J. Stewart
- Malcolm Smith
- Dustin Colquitt
- Sheldon Day
- Elijah Lee
- Ryan Switzer*
- Porter Gustin (RFA)
- Ifeadi Odenigbo (RFA)
- Montrel Meander* (RFA)
- Stephen Carlson* (RFA)
- Ronnie Harrison
- Chase McLaughlin (RFA)
- Ja'Marcus Bradley (ERFA)
- Michael Dunn (ERFA)
- Blake Hance (ERFA)
- Malik McDowell (ERFA)
- D'Ernest Johnson (RFA)
- Willie Harvey (RFA)
- Hjalte Froholdt (ERFA)
- Duke Dawson (SFA)
- Jovante Moffatt (SFA)
- Miller Forristall (SFA)
- John Kelly (SFA)
*Won't play on Sunday
The Browns' list of impending free agents includes no fewer than eight starters, as well as other key contributors. Of the starters who are unrestricted free agents, it would make sense for Cleveland to attempt to re-sign Jadeveon Clowney, Anthony Walker Jr. and David Njoku, while Malik McDowell is an early rights free agent, giving the Browns a clearer path to re-signing the standout defensive tackle.
Re-signing Clowney, Walker and/or Njoku, however, could prove easier said than done, especially with multiple high-figure extensions kicking in on Cleveland's salary cap next season. M.J. Stewart could prove more affordable and has added versatility and depth to the Browns' secondary throughout the past two seasons.
In addition to McDowell, Michael Dunn and Blake Hance are early rights free agents whose experience make them likely keepers for Cleveland's offensive line. As a restricted free agent, D'Ernest Johnson has performed admirably as the Browns' third-string running back -- so much so that it's not inconceivable that may have priced himself out of Cleveland's preferred range.
Potential cap casualties/trade candidates
WR Jarvis Landry
Since being acquired in a trade with the Miami Dolphins in 2018, Jarvis Landry has been a focal point of the Browns' passing attack and one of the team's most vocal veteran leaders. But as he enters the final year of his contract in Cleveland, the Browns have the ability to save $15.1 million with just $1.5 million in dead money with a cut or trade.
At this point, it would be tough to argue that the 30-year-old Landry's production still matches his hefty price tag. While a cut or trade would seem to make the most sense, there's also the possibility -- even if it's unlikely -- that the 5-time Pro Bowl selection could restructure his contract to give Cleveland a more team-friendly deal.
C JC Tretter
Like Landry, JC Tretter has been a key contributor since arriving in Cleveland, but enters the final season of his contract with little assurance that's where he'll remain. The Browns can save $8.25 million with just $1.625 million in dead money by waiving or trading their starting center.
For a team that has already signed guards Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio to high-priced extensions, those type of savings might be too good for Cleveland to pass up. Nick Harris has backed up Tretter for the past two seasons and could be in line to succeed him in the starting lineup in 2022.
QB Case Keenum
Case Keenum will start in place of Baker Mayfield on Sunday, in what will likely be the veteran quarterback's final game for the Browns. Cleveland can save $6.5 million with just $1.33 million by waiving Keenum, who signed a three-year, $18 million contract with the Browns in 2020.
While Mayfield's own future in Cleveland has plenty of questions heading into this offseason, the Browns' unwillingness to play Keenum at various points this season spoke volumes. Regardless of whether Mayfield stays or goes, it seems likely Cleveland will be in the market for a more high upside backup.
TE Austin Hooper
Coming off his second straight Pro Bowl season with the Atlanta Falcons, Austin Hooper signed a four-year, $42 million contract with the Browns in 2020. To this point, however, he has failed to live up to the lofty expectations that accompanied his deal and has caught just 38 passes for 345 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games this season.
Should Cleveland cut designate Hooper with a post-June 1 cut -- which it doesn't have to wait until June 1 to do -- the Browns would save $9.5 million with $3.75 million. That money could matter when it comes to Cleveland's attempts to re-sign Clowney, Njoku and/or Walker.
RB Kareem Hunt
Of the players on this list, Hunt is the most likely to be back in 2022, as he remains under contract under an affordable $6.25 million cap number. But with Nick Chubb's three-year $36.6 million set to kick in, Cleveland may at least consider the possibility of trading Hunt to save some money -- especially if the Browns can re-sign D'Ernest Johnson.