Browns release Dwayne Bowe after paying him nearly $2 million per reception

The Dwayne Bowe "era" in Cleveland lasted all of one season after Browns released the wide receiver on Wednesday.

Cutting Bowe creates $3.4 million in cap savings, but also leaves $4.6 million in dead money, per Over The Cap. However, the Browns seem willing to pay that price after Bowe proved to be a comical free agent bust in 2015.

The Browns signed Bowe to a two-year deal worth $13 million, with $9 million in guaranteed money. Their return on that investment? Five catches for 53 yards in seven games, with Bowe being a healthy scratch in the other nine. In other words, Bowe got close to $2 million guaranteed per catch. It was a great profit for Bowe, but not so much for the Browns.

Bowe spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a quality talent for a while, peaking with 15 touchdowns in 2010, but never came close to matching that production since then. Bowe hasn't reached 1,000 receiving yards since 2011 and hasn't caught a touchdown since the 2013 season.

Now 31 years old, Bowe will likely see a cold market this offseason. With his production in decline and his reputation shot, it could be a surprise if Bowe even makes a 53-man roster next August.