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Troy Hairston Troy Hairston Could have role in 2025
Fri, May 16, 2025, 6:44 AM
Hairston is in line for a role on the 2025 roster with the expectation that the Browns will utilize the fullback position this season, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Hairston, who signed a futures contract with the Browns in January, has game experience at fullback from when he was with the Texans. Whether the Browns actually carry a fullback and make plans to use the position will evolve over the summer. Hairston's fate is tied to the number of tight ends and true running backs that end up sticking around. |
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Pierre Strong Pierre Strong Heads in last year of rookie deal
Tue, May 6, 2025, 11:22 AM
As the Browns' OTAs approach, Strong is slated to compete for slotting in a backfield that includes returnee Jerome Ford, as well as rookies Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis: A concussion prevented Strong from suiting up for the Browns' season finale in 2024, but now that he's presumably past the issue, the 2022 fourth-rounder -- who is in the last year of his rookie contract -- will look to retain his depth role in the team's backfield. Additionally, Strong remains an option in the return game, but as long as Judkins and Sampson stay healthy, it remains to be seen how much of a role in the offense Strong will see after logging 26 carries for 108 yards and a 14-104-0 receiving line on 22 targets in 14 games last year while working alongside Ford, Nick Chubb and D'Onta Foreman. |
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Jerome Ford Jerome Ford Accepts pay cut
Fri, May 2, 2025, 2:21 PM
Ford (ankle) agreed to terms Friday on a salary reduction from $3.49 million to a guaranteed $1.75 million for the 2025 season, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports.
Analysis: Ford's salary reduction follows the Browns' selection of second-round running back Quinshon Judkins at No. 33 overall in April's draft, in addition to running back Dylan Sampson in the fourth round. Per Kabot, had Ford not agreed to a pay cut he would have been a trade candidate, and Cleveland may have re-signed free agent Nick Chubb (foot). With Ford's spot on the roster now essentially guaranteed, the door appears closed for Chubb to reunite with the Browns, barring damage to the team's depth. Zac Jackson and Lauren Smith of The Athletic report that Ford currently retains his hold on the top spot on the depth chart, but his pay cut is a clear indication the role will be up for grabs if Judkins logs a more impressive offseason. |
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Kenny Pickett Kenny Pickett Will have fifth-year option declined
Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 7:00 PM
The Browns aren't expected to pick up Pickett's fifth-year option, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Analysis: Cleveland traded for Pickett in a deal that sent Dorian Thompson-Robinson to the Eagles in March, but the organization appears unwilling to commit to giving the former Steeler $22.1 million in guaranteed money by picking up his option. That decision may have been influenced in part by the Browns adding two quarterbacks -- Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders -- via the draft, and the team also re-signed veteran Joe Flacco in mid-April. All four are expected to compete for the Browns' starting QB role during training camp, though Deshaun Watson may have a chance of reclaiming that job when he eventually returns from a ruptured Achilles. |
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Diontae Johnson Diontae Johnson Finds new home in Cleveland
Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 5:45 PM
Johnson signed a contract with the Browns on Monday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: After spending the first five years of his career with the Steelers, the 2019 third-rounder was shipped to the Panthers last offseason, dealt to the Ravens in late October and also had a brief stint with the Texans down the stretch after a tumultuous time in Baltimore. Between the three teams, Johnson hauled in 33 of 67 targets for 375 yards and three touchdowns in 12 regular-season games. All but the TD mark were career lows. Upon joining Cleveland, he'll be a part of his third AFC North organization and likely will be in the mix for regular snaps in a receiving corps without established options beyond Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman (concussion). |
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Kenny Pickett Kenny Pickett Team adds two rookies to QB room
Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 1:59 PM
Pickett has been joined in Cleveland's quarterback room by rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, whom the Browns drafted in the third and fifth rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, respectively.
Analysis: Cleveland's quarterback depth chart now runs five players deep, including Deshaun Watson, who isn't expected to be available for the beginning of the season as he recovers from a torn Achilles. After trading for Pickett on March 10, the Browns signed the 40-year-old Joe Flacco on April 11, then drafted Gabriel out of Oregon and Sanders out of Colorado. Sanders was viewed as a likely first-round pick before surprisingly dropping in the draft, so he has more immediate upside than the typical fifth-round draft pick. Pickett may be able to thread the needle and win the starting job as a far younger option than Flacco but one with more experience than Sanders or Gabriel, but even in that scenario, Pickett would likely be on a short leash with no shortage of available alternatives under center. |
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Joe Flacco Joe Flacco Team adds two QBs in draft
Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 1:53 PM
Flacco will face additional competition from rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, whom the Browns drafted in the third and fifth rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, respectively.
Analysis: Deshaun Watson isn't expected to be available for the beginning of the season as he recovers from a torn Achilles, but Cleveland now has four potential Week 1 starting options in Flacco (signed April 11), Kenny Pickett (traded for March 10), Gabriel out of Oregon and Sanders out of Colorado. Even if the 40-year-old Flacco wins the job initially in camp, it likely won't take long until Cleveland turns to one of the three younger options, who possess significantly more long-term upside, especially because Sanders was viewed as a likely first-round pick before surprisingly dropping in the draft. |
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David Njoku David Njoku May lose routes to rookie?
Mon, Apr 28, 2025, 1:02 PM
Njoku (knee) will be joined in Cleveland's TE room by No. 67 overall pick Harold Fannin.
Analysis: Fannin is a unique prospect, lacking ideal size (6-foot-3, 241 pounds) and speed (4.71 40) but still attracting plenty of NFL interest thanks to his FBS-leading 117 receptions at Bowling Green last season. Njoku is bigger, faster, stronger and a better blocker, but Fannin may ultimately push for some passing-down snaps in single-TE formations if he runs crisp routes and is quick to learn the offense. It's a comparable situation to the one in Baltimore with Isaiah Likely, who also put up huge numbers at a mediocre college program and notably didn't have much impact on Mark Andrews' role until their third season playing together. Of course, Njoku isn't held in the same regard as Andrews, and the Browns may take more of an interest in developing young players during a likely rebuilding year than the Ravens did while trying to win a Super Bowl. Meanwhile, there hasn't been any update on the knee injury that held Njoku out for the final two games of last season. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as it might just mean he avoided surgery and completed his recovery without incident. |
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Jerome Ford Jerome Ford Atop depth chart for now
Sat, Apr 26, 2025, 10:51 AM
Ford (ankle) is atop the depth chart at running back, but that could change given the Browns' selection of Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins with the 36th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Zac Jackson and Lauren Smith of The Athletic report.
Analysis: Ford enters the final year of his rookie deal and has been a competent complementary player behind Nick Chubb the last three seasons. Drafting Judkins suggests the team will not bring Chubb back, and the rookie Buckeyes running back is talented enough to earn carries immediately. At the very least, Judkins will be part of the backfield from Day 1 and could take over as the primary back early in the season -- the same path Chubb took to become one of the game's best backs prior to a serious knee injury in 2023. Think of Ford as atop the depth chart with an asterisk. |
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Joe Flacco Joe Flacco Returning to Cleveland
Fri, Apr 11, 2025, 8:23 AM
Flacco has agreed to a one-year deal with the Browns, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Per the report, Flacco's deal is for $4 million, though the veteran QB could earn up to $13 million with incentives factored in. Flacco -- who played for the Colts last season -- is thus in line to return to Cleveland, where he won the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023. Bringing back the 40-year-old bolsters a signal-caller corps that also includes Deshaun Watson -- who could miss most or all of the 2025 season due to an Achilles injury -- and 2022 first-rounder Kenny Pickett. It's also quite possible that the Browns will select another QB in the upcoming NFL Draft, but as things stand now, Flacco is in a position to compete with Pickett to be the team's starter in Week 1. |
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Blake Whiteheart Blake Whiteheart Signs tender with Browns
Mon, Apr 7, 2025, 1:16 PM
Whiteheart signed his tendered contract with the Browns on Monday.
Analysis: Whiteheart will return to Cleveland on a one-year contract in 2025. He entered the offseason as an exclusive rights free agent before the Browns tendered him March 4. Whiteheart is expected to provide depth behind David Njoku in 2025 after the former registered six catches for 51 yards and one touchdown on nine targets across 11 appearances in 2024. |
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DeAndre Carter DeAndre Carter Latches on with Cleveland
Thu, Mar 20, 2025, 9:25 AM
The Browns are slated to sign Carter (hamstring) to a one-year contract, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Carter turns 32 years old in April and spent last season with the Bears, appearing in 13 regular-season contests. He accrued nine catches for 72 scoreless yards on limited offensive snaps but also handled kickoff and punt returns for Chicago. He missed the final four games with a hamstring injury. Special teams is Carter's calling card and figures to be where he'll mostly operate with the Browns. |
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Kenny Pickett Kenny Pickett Joining Cleveland QB corps
Mon, Mar 10, 2025, 4:48 PM
The Browns have acquired Pickett from the Eagles in exchange for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round draft pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: With Deshaun Watson still recovering from an Achilles injury that is expected to extend into the coming season and Jameis Winston a looming free agent, Pickett bolsters the Browns' QB room ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. The team figures to address the position further in the coming weeks/months, but as things stand, Pickett -- a 2022 first-rounder -- should have a chance to compete for the starting job in Cleveland after working behind Jalen Hurts last season. |
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Deshaun Watson Deshaun Watson Agrees to contract restructure
Thu, Mar 6, 2025, 8:53 AM
Watson (Achilles) has agreed to a contract restructure that frees up $36 million in 2025 cap space for the Browns, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Analysis: The agreement likely adds another void year to the contract while also converting base salary into a bonus. Watson still figures to get all the money from his disastrous, fully guaranteed contract, although he may eventually play out the end of the deal as a backup or even be released. His 2024 campaign ended in October after he ruptured his right Achilles' tendon -- an injury that was surgically repaired shortly thereafter, only for Watson to re-rupture the tendon later on. He had a second surgery Jan. 9, making him unlikely to be ready for Week 1 of 2025 (almost exactly eight months later). Watson has been rehabbing at the team facility but is expected to miss "significant time in the 2025 season," according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. Once healthy, Watson may have to settle for a backup role, be it behind a rookie or another veteran quarterback. |
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Nick Chubb Nick Chubb To hit open market
Tue, Feb 25, 2025, 12:41 PM
Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Tuesday that he expects Chubb (foot) to test free agency this offseason, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Chubb is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year March 12, and it sounds as though Cleveland won't expend significant effort to re-sign the veteran running back. A four-time Pro Bowler, Chubb missed the first six games of the 2024 campaign while recovering from a serious knee injury, then managed only eight appearances before suffering a season-ending foot issue. In that span, he rushed 102 times for 332 yards and three scores, with a career-low 3.3 YPC. Chubb's foot injury won't require surgery to heal, but it's unclear whether the 29-year-old veteran will draw significant interest after playing just 10 combined games over the past two seasons. He may need to settle for a one-year prove-it deal to demonstrate he can still rediscover his old form. |
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Deshaun Watson Deshaun Watson Has setback with Achilles injury
Fri, Jan 10, 2025, 11:00 AM
After rupturing his Achilles again, Watson underwent another surgery Thursday to address the injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and Adam Schefter of ESPN report.
Analysis: As a result of the setback, Watson's 2025 season could now be in jeopardy. Look for further details regarding Watson's estimated recovery timeline to emerge in the coming days and weeks, but the Browns figure to fortify their depth at the quarterback position this offseason, via free agency, trade or through the 2025 NFL Draft in which Cleveland holds the No. 2 overall selection. |
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David Bell David Bell Healing from season-ending surgery
Thu, Jan 9, 2025, 8:04 AM
Bell recorded three catches for 27 yards on three targets during his lone appearance of the season before dislocating his right hip in a Week 2 win over the Jaguars and undergoing surgery.
Analysis: The hip injury prevented Bell from staking a claim to a larger role in Cleveland's receiving corps late in the season, when other young wideouts like Cedric Tillman and Michael Woods were able to move into larger role. It's unclear where Bell stands with regards to the injury, but he enters the final season of his rookie deal in 2025 as one of the more experienced rostered receivers on an offense that will undergo change during the offseason. |
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Michael Woods Michael Woods Finishes season with seven catches
Thu, Jan 9, 2025, 7:53 AM
Woods (knee) recorded seven catches on 18 targets for 65 yards over five appearances during the 2024 season.
Analysis: All of Woods' playing time came during a five-week stretch between Weeks 12 and 17, before a knee injury prevented him from suiting up for the season finale. He often served as the third wideout in those contests, though he likely would have fallen further in the pecking order had Cedric Tillman (concussion) and/or David Bell (hip) been available. |
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Blake Whiteheart Blake Whiteheart Finishes 2024 with six catches
Thu, Jan 9, 2025, 7:24 AM
Whiteheart caught six of nine targets for 51 yards and a touchdown over 11 games for Cleveland in 2024.
Analysis: Whiteheart typically served as the Browns' No. 2 or 3 tight end when he was active this season, moving up a rung on the depth chart on the occasions starter David Njoku missed time due to injury. The 24-year-old is an exclusive rights free agent this offseason but is likely to be tendered a contract for 2025. |
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Jameis Winston Jameis Winston Commits 14 turnovers in 12 games
Thu, Jan 9, 2025, 7:02 AM
Winston (shoulder) finished the 2024 season having completed 181 of 296 pass attempts for 2,212 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while carrying 25 times for 83 yards and a touchdown in 12 appearances. He also lost two fumbles.
Analysis: Winston injected life into the Cleveland passing attack after Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury Week 7, but the short-term boost eventually wore off. A three-game stretch in which he threw eight interceptions -- including multiple pick-sixes -- ended Winston's run as the starter by Week 16. He ended up being inactive as the emergency No. 3 quarterback for the final three games of the season due to a right shoulder injury, but the issue doesn't seem serious and enabled the Browns to turn the offense over to younger signal-callers in Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe down the stretch. Winston will enter the offseason as a free agent and could draw interest as a backup quarterback, though he's unlikely to find a team willing to enter the 2025 season with him as its starter, even as a bridge to a rookie or second-year signal-caller. |
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