. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)
NFL fans were stunned to learn that a surprise team in the AFC currently has the league’s most expensive offensive unit heading into 2024.

Renowned NFL analytics and data expert Warren Sharp collected numbers from OvertheCap.com to determine how much all 32 teams are spending on the offensive side of the ball.

And believe it or not, the Cleveland Browns currently have the NFL’s most expensive unit with a whopping price tag of $188.8 million. They are nearly $11 million ahead of the second-most expensive offensive unit, too.

The rest of the top five is rounded out by the Los Angeles Rams ($178.1 million), Dallas Cowboys ($158.3 million), Kansas City Chiefs ($152.8 million) and Denver Broncos ($151.1 million). Denver, of course, is paying Russell Wilson $39 million to not even play for them this year.

Needless to say, fans had plenty of reactions upon learning that it’s the Browns who own the NFL’s most expensive offense.

Two years ago, the Browns gave quarterback Deshaun Watson a massive five-year deal worth $230 million in fully guaranteed money. This remains the most expensive guaranteed contract in NFL history. Per OvertheCap, Watson has a $46 million base salary and a cap hit of $63.977 million for 2024.

In all, the Browns have seven players on that side of the ballwho carry a cap hit of over $9 million for 2024, hence having the NFL’s most expensive offense: Watson, Amari Cooper ($23.776 million), Nick Chubb ($15.825 million), Joel Bitonio ($12.135 million), Jack Conklin ($12.025 million), Wyatt Teller ($11.61 million) and David Njoku ($9.645 million).

The NFL Is An Offense-Driven League

In the 21st century, the NFL has shifted towards a heavy pass-first league. Gone are the days where most NFL teams used a hard-hitting and physically punishing defense and strong rushing offense to grind out victories.

You simply can’t win in the NFL today without a top-tier offense. Even non-elite quarterbacks who won Super Bowls like Nick Foles, Eli Manning and Joe Flacco at least had great offensive weapons around them.

So if you’re stunned to see how much teams like the Browns, Rams and Cowboys are paying for top-tier NFL offensive units? Well, the prices are only going to continue rising over time.