Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Chris Hubbard agreed to rework his contract last week and take a substantial pay cut.
Hubbard, 28, will make a base salary of $2.5 million in 2020, an unnamed source told ESPN reporter Field Yates.
Some people believed the Browns would release Hubbard, especially after the team signed offensive tackle Jack Conklin to a three-year, $42 million contract.
Hubbard restructuring his deal means he could serve as the Browns’ swing tackle in 2020, or he could compete as the team’s starting right guard position with Wyatt Teller and Drew Forbes.
At the very least, it appears Hubbard will serve as Conklin’s backup in 2020.
Had Hubbard not agreed to restructure his contract, he would have made $6.47 million in salary and bonuses in 2020, $7 million in 2021 and $7.5 million in 2022.
Spotrac.com shows Hubbard can reach $5 million in 2020 with incentives and void the second year of the deal if he plays 90 percent of the offensive snaps.
The Browns & OL Chris Hubbard have agreed to a reworked 2-year deal: $1M signing bonus, $1M of a $2.15M base salary gtd, with max cash value of $5M in 2020. If Hubbard plays 90% of the snaps in 2020, he can void the 2021 year.
Some cap space for Cleveland, security for Hubbard.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 26, 2020
In 2018, Hubbard signed a five-year, $36.5 million contract with the Browns after spending the first four years of his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In two seasons with the Browns, Hubbard started 29 of 30 games played.
Hubbard started 13 games for the Browns in 2019, playing 86 percent of the team’s offensive snaps.
He played in 100 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in 2018.
However, Hubbard ranked 45th among NFL offensive tackles in Pro Football Focus’ pass-blocking efficiency in 2019, which was one spot lower than the year before.
Only Raiders tackle Kolton Miller allowed more quarterback hurries during those two seasons.
In 2019, Pro Football Focus ranked Hubbard as the 76th overall offensive tackle out of 81 qualifying NFL players.
The Browns have made it a priority to upgrade their offensive line this offseason.
In 2019, the team allowed quarterback Baker Mayfield to be sacked 40 times, which was ninth-most in the NFL.
In addition to adding Conklin, the Browns also signed center Evan Brown in free agency.
The Browns hold the 10th overall pick in the NFL Draft, which is set to begin April 23 in Las Vegas.
Many people expect the Browns to draft a left tackle.
It comes after last year’s starter, Chris Robinson, left in free agency.
Robinson’s NFL future is up in the air after U.S. Border Patrol caught him with 157 pounds of marijuana.
The top offensive tackles in the draft include Alabama’s Jedrick Wills, Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, Louisville’s Mekhi Becton, Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, and Houston’s Josh Jones.
The Browns could also pursue Washington Redskins seven-time Pro Bowler Trent Williams, who is seeking a trade.
Philadelphia Eagles nine-time Pro Bowler Jason Peters is also a free agent.
NEXT: Austin Hooper Reveals Team He Almost Signed With Before Browns