Browns Waive QB Kellen Mond
Clarity has emerged at the bottom of the Browns’ quarterback depth chart. The team announced on Thursday that Kellen Mond has been waived. 
[RELATED: Recapping Browns’ Offseason]
As a result, Cleveland now has three signal-callers on the roster: starter Deshaun Watson, veteran backup Josh Dobbs and fifth-round rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The latter has impressed during training camp and the preseason, making it a relatively easy decision to move on from Mond. The 24-year-old will now be on the lookout for another new opportunity.
The Browns claimed Mond off waivers last August after his time with the Vikings came to an end. Minnesota intended to keep the 2021 third-rounder in the fold via the practice squad, but the Browns added him to a QB room which was in flux to begin the 2022 season due to Watson’s 11-game suspension. Jacoby Brissett ended up starting each contest which Watson missed, however, so Mond did not see any regular season action in Cleveland.
The Browns will have Watson available for a full season for the first time since their blockbuster trade acquisition for (and fully-guaranteed extension of) the three-time Pro Bowler. Brissett’s decision to sign with the Commanders left a vacancy at the backup spot, which the reunion with Dobbs (who began the 2022 season in Cleveland but finished it as an emergency starter in Tennessee) filled. The Browns have been connected to carrying three signal-callers on the 53-man roster, something again made possible ahead of the 2023 campaign.
Mond, who has one regular season appearance to his name, will now be available on the waiver wire. It will be interesting to see if the Vikings – who notably do not seem to have a Kirk Cousins succession plan in place at the moment – are interested in bringing back the Texas A&M product. If he goes unclaimed, Mond will be free to pursue a depth role anywhere around the league, something which will be complicated by the approaching roster cut deadline (August 29).
In addition to Mond, the Browns waived defensive end Charles Wiley. The 25-year-old signed in Cleveland earlier this month, after previously spending time with the Ravens and Giants. He has yet to see any regular season games at the pro level.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/23/23
Today’s minor NFL transactions from around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Reverted to IR: OL Lachavious Simmons
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: CB Chris Westry
Denver Broncos
- Signed: DT Tomasi Laulile
- Activated from NFI: NT Mike Purcell
- Waived: LS Jack Landherr IV
Detroit Lions
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: CB Saivion Smith
Green Bay Packers
- Reverted to IR: OL Jake Hanson
Houston Texans
- Signed: S Darius Joiner
- Waived/injured: S Tyree Gillespie
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DT Doug Costin, LB Isaac Darkangelo
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: CB Kemon Hall
New England Patriots
- Reverted to IR: WR Tre Nixon
- Waived with failed physical: DT Marquan McCall
New York Giants
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: LB Troy Brown
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Freddie Swain
- Released: G Fred Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DE Jordan Ferguson
- Waived: RB Bryant Koback
Washington Commanders
- Released: P Michael Palardy
Free Agents
- Suspended three games: WR Travis Jonsen, CB Mazzi Wilkins
The Broncos get an important piece back today in Purcell. The veteran defensive tackle found a strong role last year on in the Denver rotation. After passing his physical today, Purcell may be able to get his sea legs back in the team’s last preseason game, but they may choose to rest him following his return from a minor knee injury.
It’s bit of a surprise to see Johnson get cut loose in Philadelphia. The 26-year-old lineman had recently been promoted to second-team left tackle. With the Eagles’ preseason finale tomorrow, he was likely set to get a strong share of snaps. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer believes the team could bring back soon, only cutting him temporarily to fix something to do with his paperwork.
Patriots Activate G Michael Onwenu From Active/PUP List
With less than a week to go until teams must make determinations about players on their respective PUP lists, the Patriots received good news on one of their starting offensive linemen.
Michael Onwenu returned to practice Wednesday, the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed notes (on Twitter), ending a lengthy hiatus. The fourth-year guard has been out of the mix since suffering an ankle injury near the end of the Patriots’ Week 18 game in Buffalo.
Coming off the PUP list gives Onwenu a decent shot to be ready for Week 1. The Patriots have used the former sixth-round pick as a regular starter for the past two seasons. Onwenu returning will round out the solid interior of New England’s offensive line. Tackle issues have arisen this offseason, but the Pats’ Onwenu-David Andrews–Cole Strange trio is locked in.
Onwenu, 25, started all 17 Patriots games last season. Pro Football Focus rated the Michigan alum as one of the NFL’s best O-linemen, slotting him fourth among guards. A recovery from ankle surgery, however, did not go smoothly. Onwenu was already battling an ankle issue, but after Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones fell on the back of the Pats blocker’s legs, it forced a slightly early end to his season. Although the surgery took place before the Pats’ offseason program began, Onwenu was down for nearly all of training camp.
This season, a contract year, will be pivotal for Onwenu. Showing full recovery from the ankle surgery will put him on track to command a lucrative second contract. The Patriots do not have a single eight-figure AAV tied to an offensive player beyond 2023, and only Hunter Henry qualifies as such this year. While that could open the door for Onwenu staying in Foxborough — as Shaq Mason did on a second contract — the team’s current right guard could be tough to keep. As of now, Onwenu joins Robert Hunt, Cesar Ruiz, Jonah Jackson, Damien Lewis and Jon Runyan Jr. as guards set to play out their rookie deals in 2023.
Jets’ Corey Davis To Step Away From Football
Finishing his third training camp as a Jet, Corey Davis is not planning to go into another regular season with the team. The former top-five pick informed the Jets he plans to leave the game. Davis announced his intentions via Instagram. The Jets have since placed Davis on the reserve/retired list.
Davis, 28, had resided as a potential cut candidate for months. A summer report indicated a potential pay cut was coming. After it looked like the Jets would instead carry his $11.17MM salary on their roster, a more surprising conclusion will transpire for the veteran wide receiver.
“For some time now I’ve been contemplating stepping away from the sport of football,” Davis said. “This decision has not been easy. Although I am a deep person, I am a man of few words. I’ve been searching my heart for what to do and I feel that stepping away from the game is the best path for me at this time. I have more blessings than I could have ever imagined — I have an amazing family, a beautiful wife and two healthy children that I look forward to spending more time with.
“I am truly grateful for all the opportunities I have had and will continue to have on my journey. Thank you to my family and friends and the Jets organization for supporting me through this process.”
This decision may not necessarily be a retirement, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport indicating Davis will not be with the Jets to begin the season. But the Western Michigan alum’s statement does not point to a near-future return. Robert Saleh said the door is open for Davis to rejoin the Jets, and SNY’s Connor Hughes notes the receiver informed teammates of his decision Tuesday (Twitter links). The Jets’ website is calling this a retirement. Davis had informed certain teammates he was considering retirement before camp, ESPN’s Rich Cimini tweets.
After four seasons with the Titans, Davis joined the Jets on a three-year, $37.5MM deal in 2021. While he totaled 1,028 receiving yards and six touchdowns as a Jet, injuries have impacted the 6-foot-3 wideout’s New York stay. Davis missed 12 games during his first two Jets campaigns, and the team made several updates to its receiver room this offseason. As they zeroed in on Aaron Rodgers, the Jets signed Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman. After completing the trade, the Jets added Randall Cobb.
These moves — and the team’s Odell Beckham Jr. pursuit — invited speculation on Davis’ status, with the team being able to save $10.5MM in cap space by cutting him. But both Saleh and Joe Douglas praised Davis and insisted he remained in the team’s plans. The prospect of a pay cut never led to one — at least, it hadn’t yet — and Davis was set to play a backup role on this year’s Rodgers-led squad. After two seasons on Zach Wilson-centered Jet teams, Davis is out of the picture now.
The first wideout chosen in 2017, Davis enjoyed an inconsistent Titans tenure. But he did make key contributions for two playoff-bound Tennessee teams to close out his rookie contract. Davis’ 984 receiving yards helped the 2020 Titans win the AFC South. This showing came two years after Davis totaled 891 yards for Mike Vrabel‘s first Tennessee team. The Titans let Davis and A.J. Brown go in consecutive offseasons, trading the latter last year.
Lazard and Hardman are expected to start alongside 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson for Rodgers’ first Jets team. Cobb operating as a WR4 would make sense, but given the Jets’ aggressiveness at the skill positions this offseason, it would not surprise to see them pursue an upgrade — potentially via trade — in light of the Davis news.
Jets Activate T Duane Brown From Active/PUP List
Less than a week before the Jets must finalize their 53-man roster, their expected left tackle is ready to go. Robert Saleh said (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini) Duane Brown is off the active/PUP list and on track to practice Wednesday.
Brown, 37, has been out while rehabbing offseason shoulder surgery. The 15-year veteran played through a torn rotator cuff last season, returning from an IR stay to start his Jets tenure. The former Pro Bowler did not play up to his usual standards, but the injury certainly impacted his performance. Saleh showed faith in Brown this offseason, and despite Mekhi Becton‘s re-emergence, the veteran remains the likely Week 1 left tackle starter.
The Jets’ tackle situation has been under a microscope for months. The team’s effort to draft Broderick Jones did not pan out, with the Steelers jumping in front of them. Becton has worked as a second-string left tackle during training camp, though the slimmed-down blocker is now moving toward being the Week 1 right tackle starter. Neither Billy Turner nor Max Mitchell have seized the right-side gig, opening the door for Becton, who has not played a regular-season game since September 2021.
Brown’s form following several months of rehab will obviously be worth watching, given the brighter spotlight on the Jets this year. As the team prepares to begin its run with Aaron Rodgers, the issues at tackle that have cropped up during practice have become a regular talking point. Brown could be in position to put a stop to that, though he is the league’s oldest active tackle. The former Texans and Seahawks stalwart will turn 38 in October.
Tied to a two-year, $20MM contract that came to pass due to Becton’s second major knee injury — in August 2022 — Brown started 12 games for the Jets last season. Pro Football Focus slotted the five-time Pro Bowler 69th at the position, marking the worst placement of his career. But both Mitchell and Turner — PFF’s 70th- and 71st-ranked tackles in 2022 — are also coming off seasons in which health issues limited them. Turner battled knee trouble in Denver, missing ninegames, while a blood clot issue ended Mitchell’s rookie year early. The Jets also played without George Fant for most of last season. Fant is now with the Texans, while Brown is due to count $11.28MM against the Jets’ cap.
While Becton could conceivably be a left tackle option as well — a reality he aggressively pushed for this offseason — the Jets’ best bet is likely Brown returning to form and Becton staying healthy while manning the RT post. This has the potential to be an unstable situation, though Brown’s comeback obviously represents a positive development ahead of Rodgers’ debut.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/22/23
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Zach McCloud
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: LB DaShaun White
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Josh Hammond
- Placed on IR: WR Jalen Virgil
- Released from IR: K Elliott Fry
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Elijah Hamilton
- Waived/injured: OL Jake Hanson
Houston Texans
- Waived/injured: WR Alex Bachman
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released from IR: DE Henry Mondeaux
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Tae Crowder
- Waived/injured: OT Andrew Trainer
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from PUP: TE Tanner Conner
New England Patriots
- Claimed off waivers (from Panthers): DL Marquan McCall
- Released: WR Tre Nixon
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: WR Dazz Newsome
- Released from IR: LB Daelin Hayes
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Malik Flowers
- Waived: CB Montrae Braswell
Tae Crowder has found his next gig after getting cut by the Steelers in May. The former Mr. Irrelevant spent the first three seasons of his career with the Giants, including a 2021 season where he compiled 130 tackles and a pair of interceptions. He started only eight of his 13 appearances last season before getting cut, but he quickly caught on with Pittsburgh’s practice squad. Entering his age-26 season, Crowder is a low-risk option for the Chargers, but he could provide big returns if he can show his form from 2021.
Marquan McCall was a surprise cut by the Panthers earlier this week. The former UDFA ended up getting into 16 games for the Panthers last season, finishing with 15 tackles, two TFLs, and one QB hit. He’ll now look to catch on in New England. He’ll be taking a roster spot from wideout Tre Nixon. The former seventh-round pick has spent the past few seasons on New England’s practice squad but never got into a regular season game.
Ravens To Sign CB Ronald Darby
AUGUST 22: This contract’s base value checks in at $1.7MM, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson noting it contains a $1.2MM base salary and a $500K signing bonus (Twitter link). The Ravens are only guaranteeing the $500K, per OverTheCap.
Darby retaining even a part-time role into the regular season would net him some extra cash. The veteran corner will collect $250K by playing 25% of Baltimore’s defensive snaps and $500K with a 35% snap share, Wilson adds. This incentive structure reaches $1.5MM, the number for a 75% snap rate. The ninth-year vet staying healthy would put him in line for a nice bonus, but the career-long starter has only played more than 11 games in a season once (2020) since his Buffalo days.
AUGUST 17: After a four-visit summer, Ronald Darby has a gig in place. The Ravens are signing the eight-year veteran cornerback, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
Darby, who visited the Titans earlier this week, met with the Ravens today. Baltimore also worked out ex-Cowboys corner Anthony Brown on Thursday, but Darby will be the addition. Darby, 29, agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $3.2MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Baltimore will be Darby’s fifth NFL destination. The former Bills second-round pick has spent time in Philadelphia, Washington and Denver since being traded to the Eagles back in 2017. This offseason featured a number of Darby flight itineraries as well. The Florida State alum met with the Texans in July and the Vikings earlier this month. The Ravens will kick the tires on the longtime starter, who is attempting to rebound from a season marred by a familiar injury.
Seeing his 2018 Eagles season end because of an ACL tear, Darby suffered the injury again last year. Working as the Broncos’ outside cornerback opposite Patrick Surtain, Darby went down with an ACL tear during a Week 5 game that also featured Denver lose left tackle Garett Bolles to a broken leg. In Sean Payton‘s first offseason at the controls, the Broncos made Darby a cap casualty. They are planning to go with his 2022 replacement, fourth-rounder Damarri Mathis opposite Surtain. Darby will land with a team suddenly in need at the position.
Although the Ravens saw Jalyn Armour-Davis return to practice Thursday, they are still depleted at corner. Marlon Humphrey and Damarion Williams underwent surgeries this week, and recent signee Arthur Maulet has missed time as well. Humphrey’s issue — a foot injury — obviously serves as the biggest concern here for Baltimore, which let Marcus Peters walk in free agency. The Ravens were in need of an outside cornerback while Humphrey rehabs, and Darby’s experience matches up with that deficiency.
Darby has started 88 games as a pro, becoming an instant starter in Buffalo and continuing as such during his other stops. Most notably, Darby started for the Eagles during their Super Bowl LII run. He later turned in a 16-game 2020 season with Washington, prompting the Broncos to give him a three-year, $30MM deal. But injuries have tripped up Darby for most of his career. The 2020 season with Washington marked his only 16-game campaign. Hamstring trouble limited Darby to 11 games in 2021, and he missed 12 last season. Darby missed eight games in 2017, going down with an ankle malady, and seven because of his first ACL tear in 2018.
When not injured, however, Darby has been a well-regarded defender for extended stretches. Pro Football Focus graded Darby as a top-40 option in 2017, 2019 and 2020. As injuries have continually intervened, consistency has eluded the 5-foot-11 cover man. But the Ravens are a bit desperate presently. They will see if Darby can shake off his injury trouble and provide them with some veteran experience.
Saints Waive WR Bryan Edwards
One of the ex-Raider pass catchers to follow Derek Carr to New Orleans, Bryan Edwards will not stick around with the Saints. The team waived the former third-round pick Tuesday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.
The Saints gave Edwards a $1.1MM deal with no guarantees, putting him on the roster bubble at signing. The two-year Raider will not join Foster Moreau on the Saints’ 53-man roster.
Edwards, who spent last season with the Falcons, joined a Saints receiving corps housing Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, Rashid Shaheed, Tre’Quan Smith, Lynn Bowden and sixth-round rookie A.T. Perry. The team also brought back Keith Kirkwood this summer, though he is not exactly a roster lock. This early exit will give Edwards a chance to find a spot elsewhere, potentially on a practice squad.
A 6-foot-3 wideout chosen in the 2020 third round, Edwards produced for a Raiders team that lost Henry Ruggs midway through the 2021 season. Edwards caught 34 passes for 571 yards and three touchdowns that year, but not long after hiring Josh McDaniels as head coach, the Silver and Black traded Edwards to the Falcons. The South Carolina product did not catch on in Atlanta, catching just three passes and being waived in November. Edwards then spent time on the Chiefs’ practice squad.
Thomas’ health history brings questions regarding the Saints’ receiving corps, which lost Jarvis Landry this offseason. The former All-Pro remains healthy at this point, however, with Shaheed expected to again play a major role on offense. The Saints obtained Perry via the pick they received from the Broncos in the draft-weekend Adam Trautman trade.
Texans To Sign CB Cameron Dantzler
Cameron Dantzler is headed to a fourth team in 2023. The former Vikings draftee has gone from 2022 starter to 2023 nomad; the Texans are giving the former third-round pick another shot.
After a workout that also included former Titans defensive back Chris Jackson, Houston will add Dantzler, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes. Dantzler has now been both waived and signed three times this offseason. He will vie for a spot on the Texans’ active roster, though teams must decide on their final 53 players by 3pm CT on August 29.
The Vikings used Dantzler as a 26-game starter from 2020-22, doing so for nine games last season. Although the team drafted Andrew Booth in Round 2 last year, Dantzler played ahead of him opposite Patrick Peterson when healthy. But Minnesota’s defense struggled. Not long after Brian Flores took over, Dantzler was given his walking papers. The Commanders and Bills took fliers on the Mississippi State product, but each waived him — Washington in May, Buffalo in July.
Pro Football Focus graded Dantzler outside the top 60 at corner last season; the 6-foot-2 corner also spent time on injured reserve last season with a high ankle sprain. Although the soon-to-be 25-year-old defender did not exactly pan out in Minnesota, it has been surprising to see a young starter cut three times in one offseason.
With a week to go before cut day, the Texans have a deeper cornerback group than they did last season. Derek Stingley leads the way, while the team agreed to a revised deal with Steven Nelson. Desmond King and Shaquill Griffin also remain on the roster, with the Texans having re-signed Tavierre Thomas as well.
Titans Sign K Michael Badgley, Waive Caleb Shudak, Trey Wolff
The Titans have made a shake-up to their kicking situation. The team announced on Tuesday that Michael Badgley has been signed, and incumbents Caleb Shudak and Trey Wolff have each been waived. 
Badgley joined the Commanders last month, putting him in a competition with Joey Slye. The latter won out Washington’s kicking job, however, leading to Badgley’s release over the weekend. He has not needed to wait long to find a new opportunity, and he now stands alone as Tennessee’s only kicker in the fold.
The 28-year-old had a brief spell with the Titans in 2021, though he only appeared in one game. Badgley has been a journeyman since his impressive rookie season with the Chargers in 2018, but he rebounded last year during his time with the Bears and Lions. He converted 24 of 28 combined field goal attempts during his time with those two teams, along with all 33 of his extra point tries. That led to a re-up with Detroit in March, but things have not gone as planned since then.
Without any competition for the time being, Badgley will have the chance to secure the Titans’ kicking spot ahead of roster cutdowns next week. As for Shudak and Wolff, they will need to move quickly to find a new opportunity before the preseason wraps up. In case that does not take place, they will be available to at least join the practice squad in Tennessee or elsewhere ahead of the regular season.
Shudak is the only member of the pair with NFL experience. He signed with the Titans as a UDFA last year, but began the season on IR. He made a single appearance in Tennessee, a team which again relied on Randy Bullock at the kicker position when healthy in 2022. The latter was one of several veterans let go this offseason, however, leaving a vacancy the Titans are now turning to Badgley to fill.