| News |
|---|
|
Deshaun Watson Deshaun Watson Freeing up cap space
Fri, Mar 6, 2026, 8:48 AM
Watson (Achilles) agreed to terms Friday on a restructured contract with the Browns that converts a portion of his $80.71 million cap hit for the 2026 season into bonuses, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Watson's restructure provides Cleveland with increased flexibility ahead of the start of the legal tampering period March 9. The 30-year-old quarterback is heading into the final year of the fully guaranteed five-year contract he inked with the Browns back in 2022, and Cabot reports that Watson is now back to full health after having undergone two surgeries to repair the right Achilles tendon he re-ruptured after the 2024 season. Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry recently named both Watson and Shedeur Sanders as candidates to compete for the team's starting quarterback job in 2026, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. |
|
Jamari Thrash Jamari Thrash Receives tender from Cleveland
Wed, Mar 4, 2026, 6:33 PM
The Browns placed an exclusive rights free agent tender on Thrash on Wednesday.
Analysis: For the second straight season, Thrash appeared in nine regular-season contests during the 2025 campaign, finishing with 10 catches for 107 yards on 15 targets. With a new coaching staff in town for the Browns, Thrash will again need to compete for a job this summer. |
|
Malachi Corley Malachi Corley Tendered by Cleveland
Wed, Mar 4, 2026, 6:31 PM
Cleveland placed an exclusive rights free agent tender on Corley on Wednesday.
Analysis: After being cut by the Jets following the preseason, Corley latched on with the Browns and appeared in 13 regular-season games last season. Corley logged 194 offensive snaps and caught 11 of 14 targets for 79 yards, while adding 127 rushing yards on 13 attempts. Corley will compete for a job under new coach Todd Monken this offseason. |
|
Brenden Bates Brenden Bates Receives ERFA tender
Wed, Mar 4, 2026, 6:28 PM
The Browns placed an exclusive rights free agent tender on Bates on Wednesday.
Analysis: Bates appeared in nine regular-season games with the Texans and Browns last season, logging four catches for 48 yards on five targets. He'll compete for a job at tight end this offseason. |
|
Shedeur Sanders Shedeur Sanders Part of competition
Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 5:51 PM
Sanders will be among the candidates to start at quarterback in 2026, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Browns general manager Andrew Berry indicated that Sanders and Deshaun Watson (ankle) will be among those competing. The GM also indicated more names will be added to the mix, suggesting veteran quarterbacks currently rostered in the NFL, free agents or a draft pick could emerge in the coming weeks and months. New head coach Todd Monken previously did not commit to Sanders, who started the team's final seven games of the 2025 season, when speaking at his introctory news conference. |
|
Deshaun Watson Deshaun Watson Among starter candidates
Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 5:43 PM
Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry is not comitting to naming a starter quarterback but included Watson (ankle) as a candidate, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Berry indicated Watson and Shedeur Sanders will be among those competing for the starting quartebrack job. There are likely to be other names in the mix, whether that be via trade, free agency or the draft. Neither Berry nor new head coach Todd Monken are in a rush to provide details. |
|
Quinshon Judkins Quinshon Judkins Out of boot, on track for camp
Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 12:06 PM
Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine that Judkins (ankle) has shed his walking boot and is on track for the start of training camp, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Judkins underwent successful surgery to address a dislocated right ankle late December, and he's on track to enter the 2026 regular season at full health. As a rookie, the 2025 second-round pick logged 14 regular-season appearances, rushing 230 times for 827 yards and seven touchdowns (3.6 YPC) while securing 26 of 36 targets for 171 receiving yards. He appears set to lead Cleveland's backfield in 2026, while 2025 fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson could be the favorite for change-of-pace snaps and the No. 2 role, as Jerome Ford is slated to become an unrestricted free agent. |
|
David Njoku David Njoku Suggests time in Cleveland is up
Mon, Feb 9, 2026, 7:12 PM
Njoku (knee) posted on his Instagram account Monday that it is time for him "to find a new home," Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Njoku just completed his ninth season with the Browns, posting a 33-293-4 receiving line on 48 targets over 12 games. His catch, yardage and target totals were his lowest since 2020, due in part to injury (he missed five contests, including the final four of the season) but even more so because of the emergence of rookie TE Harold Fannin (groin). Njoku's contract is scheduled to void upon the start of the 2026 league year, and it sounds like the veteran out of Bowling Green won't be returning to Cleveland. Given the increasing importance of tight ends around the league, though, Njoku could still have multiple suitors in free agency. |
|
Brenden Bates Brenden Bates Under team control
Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 8:41 PM
Bates caught four of five targets for 48 yards over a combined nine regular-season games for Houston and Cleveland in 2025.
Analysis: Bates spent the first half of the season with the Texans before latching on with the Browns for the second half. While Cleveland often targeted its tight ends, most of those went to Harold Fannin (groin) and David Njoku (knee). Bates will become an exclusive rights free agent and can be brought back for one year at the league minimum. |
|
Blake Whiteheart Blake Whiteheart Enters restricted free agency
Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 8:31 PM
Whiteheart had two catches on six targets for four yards over 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Analysis: Whiteheart spent the entire season on the Browns' 53-man roster as the team's third tight end. Cleveland's tight ends turned out to be major targets, but he was never a factor in the passing attack, even in the final few games when injuries hit both David Njoku (knee) and Harold Fannin (groin). Whiteheart enters restricted free agency this offseason. |
|
Jamari Thrash Jamari Thrash Multiple DNPs in 2025
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 8:22 AM
Thrash finished 2025 with 10 receptions on 15 targets for 107 yards over nine games.
Analysis: Thrash was inactive for the final eight games, either due to injury or coach's decision. He had signed a four-year contract with the Browns after being selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but Thrash was eventually waived in December and brought back on a one-year deal. He had just 13 catches for 129 yards in his two seasons with Cleveland and enters the offseason as an exclusive rights free agent. One of the team's priorities during the offseason will be a wide receiver room makeover, which may not involve Thrash. |
|
Gage Larvadain Gage Larvadain Used mostly on special teams
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 7:56 AM
Larvadain finished 2025 with seven receptions on 14 targets for 71 yards over 13 games. He also averaged 7.0 yards in 24 punt returns.
Analysis: Larvadain, an undrafted free agent in 2025, parlayed a strong preseason into a spot on the 53-man roster to open the season. The rookie wide receiver was eventually waived, brought back on the Browns' practice squad, and rejoined the active roster in Week 5 when injuries hit. Larvadain was used as a third, fourth or fifth receiver -- depending on the availability of others -- but never had a significant role in an offense that was limited by sub-par quarterback play all season. He made a bigger impact on special teams, where he was used 45 times (including fair catches) as a returner of punts. Larvadain is under contract for 2026; however, the Browns have several offseason tasks that could determine his future with the team. Those tasks begin with hiring a new head coach and includes reshaping the wide receiver grouping. |
|
Dillon Gabriel Dillon Gabriel Future uncertain
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 7:29 AM
Gabriel completed 59.5 percent of his passes for 937 yards and seven touchdowns with two interceptions over 10 games in 2025.
Analysis: Gabriel, a third-round pick in 2025, was part of the Browns' quarterback carousel during his rookie season. He was thrust into the spotlight when he took over for Joe Flacco in Week 5 and went 1-5 as a starter. His tenure was marked by short passes, as Gabriel averaged a league-low among qualified quarterbacks with 5.1 yards per attempt. He often looked out of his depth and was eventually replaced by Shedeur Sanders for the final seven games of the season. All three quarterbacks were hamstrung by an unexciting group of wideouts. Following the end of the regular season, the organization fired head coach Kevin Stefanski -- although curiously retained general manager Andrew Berry -- which leaves Gabriel's future with the team uncertain. A new coach will certainly want to address Cleveland's glaring need for a starting quarterback and possibly backups. |
|
Sal Cannella Sal Cannella Stays with Browns
Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 3:46 PM
The Browns signed Cannella to a reserve/future contract Monday.
Analysis: Cannella was elevated for both of Cleveland's final two games of the season as additional help at tight end, where he played 35 total snaps (29 offensive and six on special teams), catching two passes for 11 yards on five targets. The 29-year-old will participate in the Browns' offseason activities and attempt to earn a spot on their active roster next season. |
|
Cedric Tillman Cedric Tillman One reception in win
Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 7:07 AM
Tillman caught one of two targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 20-18 win over the Bengals in Week 18.
Analysis: Tillman was responsible for the Browns' longest play for the second consecutive week, and five of his last eight receptions have gone for more than 20 yards. Unfortunately for the third-year wideout, Cleveland's quarterback situation all season was a mess that limited his growth following a promising campaign in 2024, and Tillman had just five catches over the final seven games this season. He ended the regular season with 21 catches for 270 yards and two touchdowns. The 2023 third-round pick is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and should be among the team's top three wideouts in 2026, but his fantasy value will depend on organizational changes during the offseason. |
|
Isaiah Bond Isaiah Bond Two touches in win
Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 6:50 AM
Bond caught one of two targets for 13 yards and had one carry for four yards in Sunday's 20-18 win over Cincinnati in Week 18.
Analysis: Bond didn't see much volume in the regular-season finale, as Cleveland ran more than it passed for the sixth time in the last nine contests. Bond was active for eight of those games and totaled just 14 targets. He did, however, show off some big-play ability during that time, averaging 30.7 yards over seven receptions. The top priority among many offseason objectives for the organization will likely be to fix the passing attack. Those goals likely include changes to the front office/coaching regime as well as a new quarterback. However it shakes out, Bond should be considered part of the offensive rebuild in 2026. |
|
Malachi Corley Malachi Corley Five touches in win
Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 6:38 AM
Corley caught both of his targets for 20 yards and had three carries for 18 yards in Sunday's 20-18 win over the Bengals in Week 18.
Analysis: As has often been the case this season with the Browns, Corley saw work as a receiver and runner, and this was the eighth time in 13 games he was used in both roles. He latched on with Cleveland after being cut by the Jets prior to the start of the regular season, and finished the regular season with 11 catches on 14 targets for 79 yards and 13 carries for 127 yards, while averaging 23.4 yards on 21 kickoff returns. Cleveland is expected to make significant changes this offseason, and the free agent wideout may not be part of the 2026 picture. |
|
Trayveon Williams Trayveon Williams Minor role in season finale
Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 6:12 AM
Williams had one carry for seven yards and caught one of two targets for 13 yards in Sunday's 20-18 win over Cincinnati in Week 18. He also returned three kickoffs for 73 yards.
Analysis: Williams finished out the regular season as the third back and primary kickoff returner. He spent time with the Browns during the preseason and was cut from the team's practice squad before eventually returning in December. In four games on Cleveland's active roster, Williams had seven carries for 37 yards, caught seven of eight targets for 55 yards and averaged 23.2 yards over six kickoff returns. Williams enters the offseason as a free agent and could be brought back to compete for a depth role. |
|
Raheim Sanders Raheim Sanders Six touches in finale
Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 5:57 AM
Sanders had five carries for 26 yards and caught his lone target for seven yards in Sunday's 20-18 win over the Bengals in Week 18.
Analysis: Due to injuries in the backfield, Sanders operated as the No. 2 back for a third consecutive game. The undrafted rookie landed with the Browns a week before the start of the regular season and played four games. He finished with 27 carries for 92 yards, and three receptions on four targets for 21 yards. Sanders could return for 2026, but change is coming in Cleveland. The statuses of head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry are a popular topic. A new regime -- front office or coaching or, most likely, both -- would indicate roster changes are coming. If Sanders survives, he'll still operate as running back depth behind Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. |
|
Jerry Jeudy Jerry Jeudy Just two catches in Week 18 win
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 4:32 PM
Jeudy caught two of six targets for 17 yards and added five yards on his only carry in Sunday's 20-18 win over the Bengals.
Analysis: While the veteran wideout's volume was poor, Jeudy's final catch of the game was huge -- he converted a third down with an 11-yard grab from Shedeur Sanders to help set up the game-winning field goal in the final minute of the fourth quarter. Jeudy had arguably the worst season of his NFL career in 2025, playing all 17 games but managing a poor 50-602-2 line on 106 targets as the Browns cycled through three different starting QBs. His prospects of a rebound in 2026 will depend on whether the organization can find a real solution under center this offseason. |
Connect With Us:
