The Browns are freeing up a little bit of cap space in advance of the start of free agency. The biggest of those moves is the expected removal of one of the veterans in their offensive line group.
Veteran offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas had his contract terminated and rookie center Justin Osborne was released by the Browns March 3. The moves will free up just over $2.7 million in cap space.
Lucas’ release makes seven players who started multiple games on the offensive line in 2025 who will now be free agents this offseason. Tackles Jack Conklin and Cam Robinson, guards Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller and Teven Jenkins and center Ethan Pocic all were in the final years of their contracts this past season.
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The 6-foot-8, 327-pound Lucas, a veteran of 12 seasons and 139 regular-season moves, was signed during the first week of free agency in 2025 to be a swing tackle. Due to the rash of injuries which hit the Browns’ offensive line, he played in 10 games, including five starts.
Osborne was an undrafted rookie free agent who did not appear in a game.
The move to release Lucas was one that was expected coming out of the season as the Browns look to maximize their cap space for March 9 at noon, when the free agency negotiation period officially opens. According to OverTheCap.com, the March 2 trade that was agreed to for offensive tackle Tytus Howard pushed Cleveland nearly $17 million over the cap.
The Browns are expected to free up around $36 million once they restructure quarterback Deshaun Watson’s contract, which is expected to happen at some point in the next week. They could also restructure cornerback Denzel Ward’s deal, among other moves.
They also have two post-June 1 designations they can use which would aid in some cap relief as well.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns terminate contract of veteran offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas
Reporting by Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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