The Cleveland Browns announced the signing of tight end Sal Cannella who most recently played in the UFL.
The Cleveland Browns announced the signing of free agent tight end Sal Cannella. Cannella most recently played for the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League. The team waived fellow tight end Tre' McKitty in a corresponding roster move.
Cannella played collegiately at Auburn where he was a big bodied wide receiver. He signed as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Miami Dolphins in 2021. In 2022, he spent time with the Green Bay Packers, the Seattle Seahawks in 2023 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024.
This past season in the UFL, Cannella recorded 44 receptions for 474 yards and a single touchdown in ten games. Although he's categorized as a tight end, he's not much bigger than he was than when he was a wide receiver. He's listed 6'4" 230 pounds after playing collegiately listed at 225 yards.
That would suggest he's going to compete as an F, similar to the role that rookie third-round pick Harold Fannin will be playing. Both are appealing for their ability to contribute in the passing game.
With David Njoku and Fannin, the Browns clearly have their top two tight ends on the roster. After that, it's an open competition. The Browns could end up keeping just three when rosters are cut down, but four is also a possibility.
In addition to the newly added Cannella, the Browns still have Brendan Bates and Blake Whiteheart. Both have a little more heft than Cannella, potentially able to contribute inline. That would likely be a more valuable skill set than getting another F, so it would require Cannella to make a bigger impression as a pass catcher.
With the open question at wide receiver, the Browns tight ends could be counted on to fill in some of the gaps. Njoku already projects to be a top target in the offense alongside Jerry Jeudy. Fannin stands to get every chance to contribute as the only significant pass catching threat the team drafted this year. Yes, they drafted a pair of running backs but did not select any wide receivers.
If the Browns don't find a convincing option before the start of the season, one player they could potentially revisit down the road is Jordan Akins. Akins played with the Browns the last two seasons and had a productive 2024. He caught 40 passes for 390 yards and a pair o touchdowns. Presently, he's still a free agent. The Browns have plenty of incentive to see if they can find a younger option to fill out that room. Akins is 33 years old. Nevertheless, if they are unable to find a better option, Akins could be a welcome fallback option, providing more credibility to the tight end room.
Browns rookies report to training camp July 18th. Veterans report on the 22nd.
What the Next Month Could Mean for Cleveland Browns Rookie Quarterback Shedeur Sanders
Cleveland Browns players on a break until the start of training camp. For rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the next month could go a long way in putting Sanders in the best position to compete for a roster spot, potentially the starting job.
The Cleveland Browns are taking their summer break before the team reports back in Berea for the start of training camp in July. Rookies report on the 18th followed by veterans on the 22nd. While Strongsville police are arguing that rookie Shedeur Sanders might be a little too enthusiastic to get to started, the pregnant pause in the offseason calendar could prove invaluable as he looks to improve his standing in the team's quarterback competition.
With four quarterbacks on the roster and no guarantees they will keep them all when the roster is cut down ahead of the start of the season, there is added pressure to take full advantage of this next month so they are improved, ready to hit the ground running when training camp begins.
By being the second rookie quarterback chosen, Sanders finds himself with an inherent disadvantage. The Browns picked fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel first. In that sense, Sanders is trying to make the case he's better than Gabriel or the team should keep both rookies, potentially moving on from one of the veterans, Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett.
Additionally, there have been a number of reports from national outlets that Gabriel is ahead of Sanders in terms of internalizing and being able to run the offense of head coach Kevin Stefanski.
It's not about where Sanders starts. It's where he finishes and some of the reasons that Sanders might be behind Gabriel have been out of his control.
First, Gabriel played for three different offenses. He played in more collegiate games, though Sanders started plenty. Gabriel played in more complex offensive systems than Sanders and demonstrated he had more answer to challenges defenses presented.
Sanders played at two schools, but the same head coach. His father, Deion Sanders. They ran a basic offense. It was often described as being "pro style" because his offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur at Colorado was a former pro head coach, albeit an objectively terrible one. However ill equipped Shurmur was to run an NFL team, he understood to design an offense around the personnel he had when he took the job of Colorado.
The offensive line was terrible. That limited the number of concepts they could run. Colorado did have wide receivers, so they played in a spread offense and employed plenty of screens in order to try to limit their exposure to the offensive protection.
Additionally, the team's best receiver, Travis Hunter, was in defensive meetings all week and barely practiced during the season. He was being told the routes during games. While Hunter put together one of the most impressive collegiate seasons in history and winning the Heisman Trophy was richly deserved, that further limited just how much Colorado could put into their offense.
They had to keep it simple, which doesn't mean Sanders can't do it. He hasn't been asked, so it's not unreasonable that there would be an adjustment period. It's similar to Jaxson Dart playing at Ole Miss, though the Rebels had better overall talent. They also had a better offensive coach and play caller in Lane Kiffin, something that was held against Dart by some draft evaluators. At points in OTAs, Dart was described as struggling.
Not a huge surprise given that he was going from a basic college offense to now a far more detailed offense with the New York Giants. This is only meant to highlight that Sanders isn't alone in quarterbacks transitioning from basic offenses, then moving to the level of detail the NFL employs.
By all accounts, Gabriel aced the draft process. Sanders, even if it was largely a function of getting horrible advice from his camp led by his father, didn't.
This break in the calendar is a golden opportunity for Sanders to get comfortable, confident in the offense. From his college tape to the early returns in the unpadded practices, Sanders has displayed excellence throwing the football. His ability to drive the football is inconsistent, at times a function of some poor habits including drifting backwards.
Meanwhile, there are no shortage of passes in which his ball placement is impeccable. That allows his receivers to not only make the catch, but maximize the yardage afterward. He displays excellent touch and is almost uncanny in his ability to understand the right tool for the job on a given play and shows a craftsman's expertise in utilizing it.
Where he's getting his reps in May and June is unimportant. For those alleging the Browns are engaging in a conspiracy against a player they not only drafted when 31 other teams passed through four rounds and have every incentive to put him on the field if his talent is legitimate, the logical conclusion is that Stefanski, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave don't believe he's ready to play with and against the best the Browns have to offer.
They want Sanders to prove that he has firm grasp of the offense. Not only knowing it, but being able to vocalize it, check them into the right position, move teammates when called upon. It also allows him to work on some of his weaknesses that show up on tape. His inconsistent pocket presence and inclination to drift backwards are two examples. It also allows him to build on his strengths, understanding how they best fit within Stefanski's offense.
The NFL calendar providing him a month could put him in position to make his move up the depth chart.
By virtue of largely seeing Sanders mostly taking the last of the reps on in the unpadded practices, it would be easy to recognize a contrast in training camp, especially if he's with the ones. Onlookers would see the coaching staff's growing trust in Sanders.
The approach of the Browns coaching staff appears twofold. They want to build the confidence of Sanders, putting him in position to succeed. Additionally, with four quarterbacks repping, they don't have time or reps to waste on the practice field. They need to be as efficient as possible. The other ten players cannot wait for the quarterback to figure it out.
Reps are increasingly going to come at a premium. That creates an environment that demands excellence. If a quarterback gets ten reps, they need to make the most of those ten reps. From operating the huddle to being able to read the defense before the play, putting the offense in the best position to succeed, potentially moving teammates in the process before then executing the play at the highest level possible. The next day, they may get eleven or twelve.
It's harsh, but it sets a tone for the time when the quarterbacks are away from the field. After all, they are up against three other combatants for roster spots and ultimately the starting job. Additionally, everyone not named Joe Flacco is competing against the future. The Browns have two first round selections in 2026, so at least one of the quarterbacks needs to make a convincing enough argument for the team not to select a signal caller next year.
That is a steep hill to climb. But as Sanders has said since he was drafted, all he wants is an opportunity. His handling of both his unexpected slide in the draft and everything that's been thrown at him thus far since joining the Browns has been outstanding.
If Sanders takes the same approach to this next month, seeing it as an opportunity to put himself on more even footing with his contemporaries, he could be poised to make a move. Now, with pads on, resembling something far more akin to real football.
The other quarterbacks are going to be doing their own work to improve the next month. But from the mental side, Sanders has the most upside of the four signal callers. He clearly has the most to gain.
If Shedeur Sanders comes back in July having mastered the offense, he could pose a real threat. It's not about where he started this process, but where he finishes.
The Eight Cleveland Browns With 2026 Guarantees & Job Security
Looking at the eight Cleveland Browns players with 2026 guarantees and job security. During this series, Jack Duffin will be going position by position, looking at everything contracts and roster construction to look at how Andrew Berry has built the team and what the future of the Cleveland Browns holds.
During this Cleveland Browns roster building and contract series I will be looking one position room per week and going deep into several different factors. If there is something in particular you would like me to cover then please let me know and I will try and work it in during this series or down the line.
Contract Analysis
Looking at every contract the Cleveland Browns currently have, what the outs are in the deal as well as when extension might be due for particular players. This will show you why one player might be much more expendable than another at the same position.
Quarterbacks - Running Backs - Wide Receivers - Tight Ends - Tackles - Guards - Centers
2025 Roster Prediction
Giving you an idea of who the most likely players are to make the team in 2025 and then discussing the runners and riders for the practice squad as well.
Quarterbacks - Running Backs - Wide Receivers - Tight Ends - Tackles - Guards - Centers
2026 & 2027 Roster Prediction (OBR VIP)
Why stop at just looking at 2025, what does the future of the position room look like over the next two years. Who could be departing and which position rooms are they most likely to change.
Quarterbacks - Running Backs - Wide Receivers - Tight Ends - Tackles - Guards - Centers
Contract Article (OBR VIP)
A lot of these articles will be looking at what someone's future extension could look like if the Cleveland Browns decide to extend them.
Deshaun Watson Insurance - UDFA Guarantees - Rayshawn Jenkins & Damontae Kazee Contracts - Predicted David Njoku Extension
Positional Spending Under Andrew Berry (OBR VIP)
Going back over each season to see how much Andrew Berry has spent on the position and then using my cash formula to project what it could look like moving forward if Jimmy Haslam keeps investing in the team.
Quarterbacks - Running Backs - Wide Receivers - Tight Ends - Tackles
Bonus Articles
Some articles just don't fit in any of the above categories so I will link them here.
Managing Deshaun Watson Out The Door - When To Start A Rookie Quarterback - Reduced Cash Spend Or More Moves To Come - Roger Goodell Won't Stop The Financial Doping - Post June 1st Salary Cap Changes - Offensive Position Battles
What Is The Premise?
This article is looking at every Cleveland Browns player that has guarantees in their 2026 contract year. Guarantees is the cash players are owned, if someone has a signing bonus and deferred money lands in future salary cap years this does not mean they have guarantees. There is an irrational fear of dead cap with some fans and media, it is purely accounting, the two key factors in NFL contracts is cash and guarantees, everything else matters much less.
Anyone that isn't listed in the article are players they can easily move on from or they are already a free agent. When players know they don't have guarantees they are likely pushing to get an extension on their current deal at his point. One bad year can take you from a key player on the roster to an overpaid veteran the team needs to cut.
The general rule of thumb with contracts and their guarantees based on years in the deal:
Two year deal - one year guaranteed
Three year deal - two years guaranteed
Four year deal - two years guaranteed
Five year deal - three years guaranteed
When it comes to an extension the Cleveland Browns won't tend to agree to an extension to a player unless they are going into their final season. For quarterbacks and superstars like Myles Garrett they have shown they are willing to negotiate veteran extensions with two years remaining.
Deshaun Watson
Contract
2025 - $46,000,000 (fully guaranteed)
2026 - $46,000,000 (fully guaranteed)
While many people would like Deshaun Watson to depart the Cleveland Browns after the 2025 season it is more likely he spends the 2026 season on the roster as a depth piece to make the salary cap numbers more manageable.
Rather than a salary cap hit of $89,507,000 in 2027 you have $35,831,000 in 2027 and $53,676,000 in 2028.
Rushing him off the roster reduces their spending power to put the best possible roster around whoever is their long term answer, regardless of if it is one of the two rookies this year or a draft pick next year.
Here is a recent article on 'Managing Deshaun Watson Out The Cleveland Browns Door'.
Here is a recent OBR VIP article on 'Deshaun Watson Insurance - Explained & Prediction'
Myles Garrett
Contract
2025 - $24,796,000 (fully guaranteed)
2026 - $32,500,000 (fully guaranteed)
2027 - $42,703,000 (rolling guarantees)
2028 - $24,796,000 (rolling guarantees)
2029 - $40,000,000 (no guarantees)
2030 - $40,000,000 (no guarantees)
Myles Garrett only earning $12,499,875 extra through the 2025 & 2026 season was a massive surprise for me. I had projected this to be in the $25m to $35m range based on how the Cleveland Browns have done previous contracts. This goes to show how poor his negotiation position was during the trade request and other moves.
The first two years of the deal are fully guaranteed. When we get into the third and fourth year of the contract we have rolling guarantees.
So on the first three days of the 2026 league year his 2027 contract guarantees. Then on the first three days of the 2027 league year the 2028 contract year guarantees. So while it is not fully guaranteed at signing we can treat the contract as four years guaranteed which is what I have always expected as this would be the expectation for a deal of this size.
Jerry Jeudy
Contract
2025 - $16,000,000 (fully guaranteed)
2026 - $13,487,000 ($6m guaranteed)
2027 - $17,000,000 (no guarantees)
While he has $6m guaranteed in 2026 it doesn't give him complete job security. The Cleveland Browns could decide to cut him if they don't think he is worth the $13,487,000. If they do this there will be offsets in the contract, so if another team then signs him for $6m or more the cost will move to the new team instead of the Browns. If he has a really bad year, another team can pay him the league minimum and the remainder of the bill stays with the Browns.
If he has performs in 2025 anywhere near to how he did in 2024 then he will be a bargain in 2026.
Maliek Collins
Contract
2025 - $10,000,000 (fully guaranteed)
2026 - $10,000,000 ($3m guaranteed)
Year one, he is going to be paid $10m, with a minimum base salary and the remainder is a signing bonus and per game roster bonuses, so for any game he misses the Cleveland Browns get just over $88,000 back.
Year two, we have another minimum base salary, a $100,000 workout bonus to incentivise team activities, $1.5m on the fifth day of the league year to force the team into a decision to keep him or let him hit free agency. Then the remainder of the contract is an option bonus to keep the salary cap number as low as possible.
This is similar to the case with Jerry Jeudy, he only has $3m of his $10m in 2026 guaranteed. This means as long as he is going to get more than $3m from another team he has no job security with the Cleveland Browns.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Contract
2025 - $5,250,000 (fully guaranteed)
2026 - $12,500,000 ($6,031,678 guaranteed)
2027 - $12,500,000 (no guarantees)
He is going to miss the 2025 season with an injury, the insurance amount is unknown but it isn't likely to be a meaningful amount since he was due to earn only $5.25m in 2025. If he is going to miss the entire 2026 season then there is a good chance they pay the remaining $6,031,678 that is guaranteed and allow him to depart.
The two NFL positions with the shortest careers tends to be running backs and linebackers. While injury luck is partly random in the NFL, it is important to consider this when investing premium draft assets and extending players. Losing both prime Nick Chubb and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has hurt the team, the team could have looked at premium positions such as quarterback, wide receiver, tackle, edge defender and cornerback instead.
Rookie Picks
They have two rookie players with guaranteed contracts:
Mason Graham
2025 - $27,206,684 (fully guaranteed)
2026 - $2,697,918 (fully guaranteed)
2027 - $4,555,836 (fully guaranteed)
2028 - $6,413,754 (fully guaranteed)
Carson Schwesinger
2025 - $6,062,108 (fully guaranteed)
2026 - $1,376,382 (fully guaranteed)
2027 - $1,912,764 (fully guaranteed)
2028 - $2,449,146 (fully guaranteed)
It is likely that Quinshon Judkins will sign a contract that has either three of four years fully guaranteed. I'm not concerned about him not signing his rookie contract yet, if the Browns get to training camp then questions will be asked. It could be that one day before training camp when he's back in town he signs the deal. I would expect him to get fully guaranteed after what they did with Schwesinger. If they are pushing back it would potentially be on just doing three years guaranteed.
Michael Hall initially had the first three years of his contract full guaranteed, when he was suspended by the league it auto voids any guarantees in his contract.
