Browns rework Olivier Vernon’s contract

Vernon will now get $11 million in guaranteed money and will be a free agent in 2021

The Cleveland Browns and veteran EDGE Olivier Vernon have agreed to restructure Vernon’s contract.

Per ESPN’s Field Yates, Vernon will receive $11 million in guaranteed compensation for 2020, including a $4 million signing bonus and a new salary of $6.75 million. Previously, Vernon was on the books for $15.2 million, but none of that figure was guaranteed.

The team also included a no-tag clause in the new deal that will guarantee that Vernon, 29, will become an unrestricted free agent following the season.

Vernon notched 29 tackles and 3.5 sacks in his first season with the Browns after being acquired in a trade from the New York Giants. He missed six games with injury, a recurring theme for Vernon over the last few seasons.

The move, coupled with the off-season addition of Adrian Clayborn, effectively closes the door on the Browns’ well-documented pursuit of free agent Jadeveon Clowney.