BEREA, Ohio – One day after signing pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney, the Cleveland Browns ended their contract to begin defending Sheldon Richardson.
Friday’s move will save $ 11 million in cap space, but it leaves the Browns with a huge hole in the middle of their line of defense. Richardson’s contract was no longer guaranteed money.
He signed with the Browns for a three-year deal for the 2019 season, starting 31 games and getting 7.5 sacks over two seasons.
This off-season, the Browns signed Malik Jackson to compete for a runway in defensive tackle. They also have defensive tackle Andrew Billings who joined the team after opting out last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cleveland signed Clowney on Thursday to a one-year deal worth up to $ 10 million.
Richardson was a first round pick for the New York Jets in 2013. Cleveland’s other initial defensive tackle last year, Larry Ogunjobi, signed with Cincinnati this off-season.