NFL Notes: Dead Money, Browns, Steelers, Texans

Dead Money

Jason Fitzgerald posted the figures for the teams with the most and least dead money entering Sunday’s games. The teams with the most dead money include:

1. Browns – $38.1M
2. Cowboys – $21M
3. Ravens – $19M
4. Saints – $19M
5. 49ers – $18.9M
6. Jets – $18.2M
7. Eagles – $17.9M

As for the least dead money, the list includes:

1. Bengals – $1.3M
2. Broncos – $1.8M
3. Raiders – $2.2M
4. Buccaneers – $2.4M
5. Giants – $3.4M
6. Cardinals – $3.9M
7. Patriots – $4M

Browns

On Sunday, a report surfaced that Browns HC Hue Jackson was “irate“ by the front office’s decision to release veteran CB Joe Haden a few weeks ago.

However, Jackson denied the report in his post game comments.

“That did not come from me,” Jackson said, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “I think you guys know me well enough that if I feel something, I am going to say it. I don’t run from that. Me and the executive team are working lockstep, hand-in-hand. I don’t know where that came from. I trust Sashi and I trust our executive team to make the right decisions for this football team.”

In fact, Jackson said he “wholeheartedly” stands behind the team’s decision to release Haden.

“I stand behind that wholeheartedly,” Jackson said. “Never wanted to see Joe go, but at the same time, we made the decision as an organization. I totally stand behind it.”

Steelers

• Jeremy Fowler mentions that if Steelers DE Stephon Tuitt misses the remainder of the season with a torn bicep, Pittsburgh will rely on primary on backups Tyson Alualu and L.T. Walton to fill in.
• Fowler adds that it’s still possible the Steelers could bring in some help at the position.

Texans

Texans QB Tom Savage admitted that it wasn’t a good feeling to be benched after one half in favor of rookie QB Deshaun Watson, but he still plans to be ready for another opportunity.

“Obviously, you never want to be replaced,” Savage said, via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “That’s not a good feeling. It’s a team sport. I’ll be there for this team. Obviously, no one wants to be pulled like that. I’ll be ready to go.”

“We just weren’t in sync,” Savage said of the team’s offensive struggles. “That’s what it was. I held onto the ball a little too long trying to make some plays downfield. The game’s not meant to be 2nd and 15.”