The Cleveland Browns have locked up guard Wyatt Teller for the long haul.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Tuesday morning that the Browns and Teller have reached an agreement on a four-year contract extension, per sources informed of the situation. The team later confirmed the signing.
Teller's deal is worth $56.8 million over the next four years with $29 million guaranteed, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. The $14.2 million per year average in new money makes Teller the third-highest paid guard in the league, behind Washington's Brandon Scherff and Kansas City's Joe Thuney.
A 2018 fifth-round pick by the Buffalo Bills, Teller was slated to be a free agent after the 2021 season. The Browns didn't want one of the best run-blocking guards in the NFL to reach the open market.
After playing eight games as a rookie in Buffalo, Teller was traded to Cleveland in August 2019 for two late-round picks. It took him nearly half a season to earn the starting gig at right guard. He's since become a stud in the Browns' scheme.
A mauler with athletic ability, Teller is perfect for the Browns' run-first approach. The 26-year-old opens gaping holes inside and can pull and crush defenders in space. While a better run-blocker than pass protector, Teller isn't a stooge there either, and has been good picking up blitzes and going one-on-one since taking over the starting gig.
If Teller had made it to the open market, there would have been a feeding frenzy for the guard's services. Cleveland smartly made sure that didn't happen.