Cleveland Browns General Manager Andrew Berry spoke at length about the team's personnel decisions and roster moves after the conclusion of the 2020 NFL Draft on Saturday.
Berry was asked whether the Browns plan to keep defensive end Olivier Vernon, given the team did not draft an edge-rusher this past weekend. Berry said Vernon will indeed be part of Cleveland's roster in 2020 (via ClevelandBrowns.com):
“This is probably another one of those questions where we are pretty much in the same place,” Berry told reporters, per the Browns official site. “Olivier is a good football player, and we like having good football players on the roster. He is a talented defensive end. He is here and will continue to be here.”
Vernon is in the final year of a five-year, $85 million contract he originally signed with the New York Giants back in 2016. The Browns acquired Vernon from New York last March.
The 29-year-old has dealt with injuries as of late. Vernon has missed at least four games in each of the past three seasons, including six last year. He was productive when healthy, however, tallying 3.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits in 10 games.
Vernon currently has the highest cap number on Cleveland's roster. But the Browns could also save $15.5 million if they chose to cut Vernon, per Over The Cap.
However, the Browns already have close to $40 million in cap space. They might still pursue an edge such as Jadeveon Clowney or Everson Griffen, but retaining Vernon at least ensures they have some quality depth at the position.
It seems Berry and the Browns will honor the final year of Vernon's contract.
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