Jedrick Wills/Getty Images
The Cleveland Browns have exercised the fifth-year option on left tackle Jedrick Wills’ contract, according to a report by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The option guarantees Wills a base salary of $14.174 million for the 2024 season and sets him up to become a free agent in 2025.
Wills was selected by the Browns with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and has quickly established himself as a cornerstone of their offensive line. He has started in all 45 games he’s played in and has allowed 87 pressures and 15 sacks on 1,596 pass blocks, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Browns still have plenty of time to work out a long-term extension with Wills, which would keep him in Cleveland beyond the 2025 season. Wills’ performance over the past two seasons has been impressive, and he has demonstrated his ability to protect the quarterback’s blindside effectively.
With Wills secured for the next two seasons, the Browns can focus on other areas of need as they prepare for the upcoming season. The team made several key offseason additions, including the signing of former Chiefs Safety Juan Thornhill and the drafting of wide receiver Cedric Tillman in the 3rd round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Browns have high expectations for the upcoming season, with some experts predicting that they will be among the top teams in the AFC. The team’s offense, led by quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Nick Chubb, could be one of the most potent in the league, and the defense has the potential to be strong as well.
Overall, the Browns’ decision to exercise Wills’ fifth-year option is a significant move that reinforces their commitment to building a strong foundation for the team’s future success. As they continue to build around their young core of talented players, the Browns are poised to become a perennial contender in the years to come.