Dawgs By Nature
Another failed free agent attempt to fill the Browns special teams need, Nyheim Miller-Hines is now released
NFL free agency has about a month until it kicks off, even if technically those conversations happen at the NFL combine in Indianapolis Indiana next week. Besides veteran quarterbacks that might become available, the Cleveland Browns will likely be linked to lower-level starters on the NFL free agency market including at the running back position.
Last year, the Browns also went after a couple of free-agent running backs leading to the signing of D’Onta Foreman and Nyheim Miller-Hines. Miller-Hines was expected to be a huge help in the return game but was coming off of a jet ski-related injury.
Miller-Hines never saw the field in 2024. Cleveland designated him for return in late September but decided not to activate him within the three-week window, ending his season.
Today came an interesting report that the Browns had terminated Miller-Hines’ contract which came as a surprise as he only signed for one season:
A look at the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement could answer the question about why this move was made:
A player on N-F/I who is in the final year of his contract (including an option year) will have his contract tolled. However, if the player is physically able to perform his football services on or before the sixth regular season game, the Club must pay the player his negotiated Paragraph 5 Salary (pro rata) for the balance of the season in order to toll such player’s contract. If such player is taken off N-F/I during the period when such action is allowed by League rules, his contract will not be tolled.
“Tolled” means that the contract will carry over to the next season which means Miller-Hines was set to play under the same contract in 2025 that he signed last offseason. Given the signing bonus and base salary, the Browns may not value him the same after missing another season.
Players can also be released at this point to give them a chance to sign with teams before free agency opens. A player who was a free agent or on a practice squad when last season ended or who is released by their team prior to the start of free agency is free to sign with any team at any time.
