After Maliek Collins’ extension, Browns have 4 starters left who are set to be free agents

Unlike teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, who won’t talk contract extensions during the season, which led to the trade of CB Joey Porter Jr., Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry is more than happy to get deals done whenever they might work out. Before the 2026 NFL season started, Berry and the Browns

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What is the story about?

Unlike teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, who won’t talk contract extensions during the season, which led to the trade of CB Joey Porter Jr., Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry is more than happy to get deals done whenever they might work out. Before the 2026 NFL season started, Berry and the Browns locked up CB Denzel Ward and S Grant Delpit with extensions.

Saturday night, before Week 7’s matchup with the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland extended veteran DT Maliek Collins to a big-money deal, adding another

midseason extension to Berry’s resume.

Months before the season started, we listed seven probable starters who were set to hit free agency after the season. Since then, OL Teven Jenkins not only didn’t start but hasn’t played a game and is now on injured reserve. With Delpit and Collins getting extensions, that leaves just four starters on the final years of their contract:

QB Deshaun Watson
DE Isaiah McGuire
S Ronnie Hickman
P Corey Bojorquez

There have been rumblings of Watson being in line for an extension, which could be a part of a drastically changed 2027 quarterback plan.

McGuire has started all six games this season, with Myles Garrett traded away and Alex Wright out for the season with an injury, contributing three sacks, five tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits. Hickman continues to start opposite Delpit, but rookie Emmanuel McNeil-Warren could be in line for his position heading into next season.

Bojorquez’s contract is likely to wait until after the season.

Of the four remaining, a McGuire extension might be at a higher cost than many expect, while a Watson extension would send versions of shockwaves through Browns fans and the NFL as a whole. Hickman and Bojorquez are the most likely to hit NFL free agency in 2027.

Do you think the Browns should get an extension done with any of these players? If so, who would be your top priority? Who do yout think they should let walk this upcoming offseason?