Wyatt Teller's tenure with Cleveland Browns is expected to come to an end after seven seasons
The Cleveland Browns offensive makeover is already taking shape, with news of another veteran player, who won't be returning to the team.
Longtime starting guard Wyatt Teller took to Instagram on Wednesday evening to share the harsh reality of his future with the team. In a heartfelt message to Browns fans, Teller revealed that he won't be back with the franchise he's called home for last seven seasons.
"I wish things were different and this is hard to put into words," Teller's note began, later writing, "while we are excited and look forward to what the future holds, Cleveland will always have a special place in our hearts. As always ... Go Browns!"
His wife also shared the message via her accounts.
As he noted in his message, Teller arrived in Northeast Ohio in 2019 as part of a trade with the Buffalo Bills, with the Browns sending 2020 fifth- and sixth-round picks to complete the deal.
Under the tutelage of then offensive line coach Bill Callahan, Teller quickly became a stalwart in the trenches for Cleveland. Three years later, he had become such a key figure along the o-line that he earned a four-year, $56.8 million extension from the Browns.
That deal is set to expire this offseason, paving the way for Teller to hit free agency for the first time. Teller carries a dead cap charge of $21 million that was initially spread out over multiple void years that were added to the contract for book keeping purposes.
One additional stipulation in Teller's contract allows the deal to not officially void until after the start of the new league year. It also includes a poison pill that would guarantee a $99 million base salary in 2028 if he's not cut by the third day of the new league year.
That makes it likely the Browns will cut Teller and designate him as one of their June 1st cuts, allowing them to spread that $21 million over the next two years rather than having to eat it all at once.
In seven seasons with Cleveland, Teller played in 109 games and made 101 starts. He was a second-team All-Pro twice (2020-2021) and a three-time Pro Bowler (2021-2023)
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