Jedrick Wills remains unsigned deep into the offseason. The knee injury he dealt with through 2024 represents a key reason why. 
The former No. 10 pick was limited to five games last season, his fifth operating (for the most part) as the Browns’ left tackle. That responsibility will likely now fall to Dawand Jones as the team moves in a different direction in terms of blindside protection. Wills has not yet been linked to a free agent suitor, and that may well remain the case for quite some time.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Schulz reports the 26-year-old plans to sit out most, if not all, of the coming campaign to recover from the knee injury. That ailment landed Wills on injured reserve in December not long after he was removed from the starting lineup. He ultimately made a total of 58 appearances (including 57 starts) with Cleveland in the regular season, adding a pair of games in the playoffs in 2020.
While the Browns have moved on, Schultz adds that multiple teams have shown interest in Wills this offseason. The Alabama product did not develop as hoped during his time in Cleveland, and his best PFF grade came in 2021 (66.1). Run blocking in particular was seen as an issue regarding his yearly evaluations, and an acquiring team will likely see him more as a swing tackle than a full-time starting option at the LT spot. It would come as no surprise if teams waited until Wills receives clearance before a deal is worked out.
With plenty of time remaining until that takes place, the likes of D.J. Humphries – who did not, as it first appeared, sign with the 49ers last month – and George Fant loom as some of the top offensive tackles still on the market. Their health situations should allow them to land a contract no later than training camp in July. For Wills, however, a lengthy recovery period is presumably in store before his next NFL gig is lined up.
Whomever coined the phrase ‘Factory of Sadness’ nailed it.
Yeah, the Browns are perennial losers but they are Cleveland’s losers. I don’t think Jimmy Haslam would survive long in that city if he tried to relocate the team like Art Modell did.
Living in Duval, I have no problem with the Jags playing ‘home games’ in England. I won’t pay to watch them!
Can’t fool me arty! I know you would rush to Everbank Stadium if the Jags offered free tacos and a dunking machine with Belichick on the seat 🙂
100% right Crosseyed!
Well, since Wills is a free agent and the Browns made it pretty clear that they didn’t want him, this article is more sad for Wills and has absolutely nothing to do with Cleveland.