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Browns, Giants To Meet With Russell Wilson

March 12th, 2025 at 11:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although Russell Wilson may be behind Aaron Rodgers in the free agent QB pecking order, another team is showing interest. The Browns are preparing to meet with the 13-year veteran.

Wilson will travel to Cleveland tonight for a Thursday meeting, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who adds the passer’s second Giants meeting in two years is set for Friday. The Giants have been linked to Wilson for a while, but they join the Steelers in waiting for a Rodgers answer.

When the Browns traded for Kenny Pickett, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot indicated the ex-Steelers first-rounder would not automatically be the veteran that steers the ship while Deshaun Watson is out and before it is known a rookie QB is Cleveland-bound. The Browns are still believed to be looking into vets, and Wilson will qualify. Given teams’ preference of Rodgers over him, Wilson will also not stand to be a particularly pricey option at this stage of his career.

The Browns have been more closely connected to Kirk Cousins than Wilson, but as the 2025 league year begins and a $10MM Cousins payment is due, Falcons GM Terry Fontenot is sticking to his guns on cuffing the QB as a high-priced backup. Teams were split on if that Atlanta strategy will continue, but Cousins is not coming up in trades and is not yet a free agent. Despite Kevin Stefanski’s past with Cousins, the 2012 fourth-round pick’s status may well be leading the Browns to look into a 2012 third-rounder.

Certainly not one to cool down drama, Rodgers is taking his time on a potential Pittsburgh-or-New York decision. That has affected Wilson, who is not believed to be a Titans target. The Vikings are also in the mix for a veteran stopgap, but a Browns fit would be quite interesting given the makeup of the team’s QB room. The Browns are needing to keep costs low because of their 2022 decision to give Watson a fully guaranteed $230MM. That trade came barely a week after the Broncos sent two first-rounders, two seconds and other assets to the Seahawks for Wilson. The Browns are considering carrying both players on the same roster.

Wilson, 36, is certainly more than a failed trade piece. He is a nine-time Pro Bowler who sits third all time in QB rushing yards. Mike Tomlin, against the wishes of some in the Steelers organization, installed Wilson as his starter for 11 games last season. Wilson threw 16 touchdown passes and five interceptions. Wilson finished 23rd in QBR, two spots ahead of Rodgers, and posted a better yards-per-attempt number (7.4) than the older great (6.7) as well. Never in Rodgers’ league as a pure passer, Wilson being five years younger may not matter too much right now for teams, either. But the Browns will consider Wilson ahead of a season when Watson figures to land on the reserve/PUP list.

The Giants met with Wilson before his Broncos release last year. The quick visit pertained to a QB who could push Daniel Jones, but Wilson became intrigued by a clearer shot to start in Pittsburgh. The Giants admitted defeat on Jones midway through last season and now need at least two QBs, as Tommy DeVito is the only one contracted. Despite Rodgers underwhelming as a Jet, the Giants are fairly desperate. If Rodgers chooses the Steelers or retires, the Giants may need to give Wilson strong consideration while they determine a draft path.

Browns To Sign DT Maliek Collins

March 12th, 2025 at 3:21pm CST by Adam La Rose

Maliek Collins was let go by the 49ers earlier this week. The veteran defensive tackle did not need to wait long to find a new home, however.

Collins has agreed to a two-year deal with the Browns, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The contract is worth $20MM and includes $13MM fully guaranteed, he adds. Collins will now join a Browns D-line which no longer features Dalvin Tomlinson.

Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com notes the deal is still being worked on. Presuming it is finalized, though, Collins will be expected to handle a starting role on his fifth career team. The 29-year-old has operated as a first-team presence throughout his career, which has included time with the Cowboys, Raiders, Texans and 49ers.

San Francisco traded for Collins last offseason, and he started all 17 games with the team. The former third-rounder recorded five sacks along the way, but that production was not enough to keep him in place. The 49ers elected to cut Collins as part of their efforts to reset along the defensive interior. The same remained the case for Javon Hargrave, who was designated as a post-June 1 release.

The Browns used Tomlinson as a full-time starter for each of the past two seasons. The former Giant and Viking posted three sacks in each of his Cleveland campaigns, and halfway through his contract the Browns elected to move on. Tomlinson’s pact averaged $14.25MM per season; this Collins one checks in at a lower figure but it will still carry notable expectations on a Browns defensive front which will still include Myles Garrett in 2025.

The All-Pro’s saga saw a trade request replaced by a record-breaking extension on Sunday. Garrett will be counted on to remain an elite producer along the edge moving forward as a result. Collins will look to serve as a complementary pass-rushing presence along the interior.

Browns, LB Devin Bush Agree To Deal

March 11th, 2025 at 6:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

Relocating in each of the past two offseasons, Devin Bush is staying in Cleveland. The Browns and the veteran linebacker have reached an agreement on a second contract, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reports.

Formerly a Steelers first-rounder — after a rare Round 1 trade-up from the team — Bush moved on to the Seahawks in 2023 and Browns in 2024. While the second-generation NFLer has not justified his first-round pedigree, he has remained a viable starter. The Browns will give him another chance, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting the sides are in agreement on a $3.25MM deal.

Bush, 26, will see a slight raise after playing last season for $1.5MM. While the Deshaun Watson mess engulfed the Browns last season, Bush quietly worked as a regular starter. This came during a season in which the Browns lost Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah midway through and played five games without fellow starter Jordan Hicks. Bush made 76 tackles, and his nine TFLs were his most since his rookie season.

Despite Pro Football Focus grading Bush as a top-10 off-ball linebacker last season, no notable market appears to have emerged. Bush has made 61 career starts, being a primary starter in Pittsburgh and Cleveland (and a backup in Seattle during Bobby Wagner‘s Seahawks farewell season). He will continue to attempt to climb up the ladder during this one-year deal, the Michigan alum’s third straight one-year agreement with a team since the Steelers declined his fifth-year option.

The Browns still have Hicks rostered, ahead of an age-33 season, and paid Owusu-Koramoah last year. The latter, however, suffered a major injury and is not certain to be ready for the 2025 season. Cleveland saving money with Bush, as it remains tied to Deshaun Watson‘s outlier contract, also makes sense, as Owusu-Koramoah is on a $12MM-AAV accord.

Browns To Sign DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka

March 11th, 2025 at 12:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Browns came in with a market-resetting extension to end their Myles Garrett trade drama, they will take a flier on a former first-round pick. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is heading to Cleveland.

The former Buccaneers top choice will join the Browns on a one-year deal worth $4.75MM, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. While Tryon-Shoyinka did not live up to expectations in Tampa, he will have a shot to bounce back in an edge-rushing corps still headlined by a future Hall of Famer.

Chosen months after the Bucs’ Super Bowl LV win, Tryon-Shoyinka could not establish himself as a reliable Shaquil Barrett complementary piece. The Bucs eventually benched the Washington alum, who is coming off a down season. Tryon-Shoyinka, 26 in April, totaled career-low marks in sacks (two), tackles for loss (three) and QB hits (four) despite playing in 15 games. As YaYa Diaby has established himself as Tampa Bay’s current top edge rusher, the Bucs were not viewed as likely to re-sign Tryon-Shoyinka.

Although the Bucs declined Tryon-Shoyinka’s fifth-year option in 2024, he did have moments as a supporting-caster. He tallied five sacks and seven TFLs in 2023, even as Diaby replaced him in Tampa Bay’s starting lineup opposite Barrett. Succeeding Jason Pierre-Paul in 2022, Tryon-Shoyinka also set a career high with 14 QB hits — during a season that featured a Barrett Achilles tear.

Garrett is back to anchor Cleveland’s pass rush for a ninth season, but his supporting cast needs filling out. The Browns traded three-year DE2 Za’Darius Smith last season and saw Garrett rack up 14 sacks and no one else surpass five. Tryon-Shoyinka may not ultimately check in as a Browns starter, even though he has 45 starts on his resume, but he could still benefit from the dominant performer’s presence — as Smith and Jadeveon Clowney have previously. The Browns still have Ogbo Okoronkwo and Alex Wright under contract as well.

Browns To Sign T Cornelius Lucas

March 10th, 2025 at 11:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Commanders made a play to add a more accomplished left tackle today, bringing in Laremy Tunsil via trade. One of their 2024 options at the position will now relocate.

Cornelius Lucas is heading to Cleveland, with ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reporting the 11-year veteran will join the Browns on a two-year deal. Lucas’ latest contract can be worth up to $10MM.

This will end a five-year Lucas stay in Washington. The Commanders used Lucas as a spot starter for much of that stay, but he ended up with 38 starts for the team. Going into his age-34 season, Lucas is preparing for a 12th NFL campaign. He is now set to play for a sixth franchise, having made pre-Washington stops with the Lions, Rams, Saints and Bears.

Lucas played 318 snaps at left tackle and 139 snaps at right tackle for the Commanders last season, helping a team that was breaking in third-round rookie Brandon Coleman. While Coleman manned Jayden Daniels‘ blindside post in the playoffs, Lucas started seven games last season. For his career, Lucas — a former UDFA — has 54.

The Browns have Jedrick Wills out of contract, after two injury-plagued seasons, and lost James Hudson to the Giants today. The team still rosters Jack Conklin, who is injury-prone himself and going into an age-31 season. While Joel Bitonio‘s return ensures interior-line continuity, the Browns still have some work to do at tackle. Pro Football Focus’ No. 28 overall tackle last season, Lucas could give the Browns a starter or swing option next season.

Eagles To Trade Kenny Pickett To Browns

March 10th, 2025 at 7:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

7:09pm: This is not expected to be the only veteran move the Browns make at quarterback. The team is likely still in the market for a vet to join Pickett, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot tweets. This could drop Pickett to the third-string level quickly, depending on how the Browns proceed in the draft.

4:37pm: Kenny Pickett is headed back to the AFC North. The former Steelers first-rounder spent one season with the Eagles, but he is being traded once again.

Pickett is being dealt to the Browns, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The Eagles will receive fellow quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson as well as a 2025 fifth-round pick from Cleveland.

The Browns are in historically unprecedented shape at quarterback, having Deshaun Watson‘s guarantees still on the books through 2026. Watson has bombed spectacularly in Cleveland, and the Browns just completed another restructure — one that creates 2025 cap space but balloons his 2026 cap number to $81MM and his dead money number (in the event of a release) to $135.4MM. Cost conservation is more necessary for the Browns at QB.

This, of course, will be Pickett’s second time in two offseasons being dealt. The Browns are quite familiar with the 2022 first-round pick, as he was the Steelers’ primary starter for two seasons. The Steelers bailed on Pickett shortly between their Russell Wilson and Justin Fields pickups last year. Pittsburgh’s Pickett trade haul did include a third-round pick coming back, in a deal sending other selections back to Philly, but the Eagles are moving on ahead of the Pitt alum’s contract year.

Pickett, 27 in June, played in five Eagles games last season and started one. A rib issue sidelined the ex-Steeler, giving way to Tanner McKee, who appears set to have a shot to back up Jalen Hurts in 2025. Pickett was 14 of 24 for 143 yards in a loss to the Commanders, throwing a costly interception but also leading two fourth-quarter scoring drives. Starting for Hurts the following week, Pickett saw a previous rib issue become too much of a hindrance. He did not play again until mop-up time in the NFC championship and Super Bowl LIX.

With the Steelers, Pickett drew immediate scrutiny as an underwhelming Ben Roethlisberger successor. He managed only seven touchdown passes in 13 games as a rookie and threw just six in 12 sophomore-season contests. While Matt Canada’s offense drew criticism (ahead of an ultra-rare in-season Steelers coach dismissal), Pickett did not inspire confidence after some late-game success down the stretch as a rookie. The Steelers benched him for Mason Rudolph late in the 2023 season and were not exactly pleased with how he handled it. Pickett preferred a scenery change after the Wilson arrival, and the Steelers granted it early during the 2024 offseason.

The Browns hold the No. 2 overall pick and have been linked to quarterbacks, along with Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter (whom Cleveland deems a wide receiver). Pickett would not generate much optimism as the Browns’ bridge, making the prospect of another veteran addition logical before the draft decision. Thompson-Robinson holds a ghastly 1-10 TD-INT ratio, having struggled in five starts. The Browns gave the former UCLA starter a few chances but ultimately did not see much production. The Eagles will take a flier, likely as a third-string option, nonetheless.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Browns To Release DT Dalvin Tomlinson

March 10th, 2025 at 6:57pm CST by Ely Allen

After making Myles Garrett the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL earlier this week, the Browns are making some concessions elsewhere along the defensive line. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Browns have informed veteran defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson that they will be releasing him at the start of the new league year.

Schefter specifies that Tomlinson will be designated as a post-June 1 release by the team for cap purposes. If they didn’t choose to designate him that way, Tomlinson would account for $17.15MM in dead cap for Cleveland, who wouldn’t accumulate any cap savings from the transaction. Instead, as a post-June 1 designated release, Tomlinson will only take up $5.04MM in dead cap, and the Browns will save $6.41MM in cap space by clearing him from the payroll.

Tomlinson has been a full-time starter in the NFL ever since the Vikings drafted him in the second round out of Alabama in 2017. While he doesn’t stuff the stat sheet with sacks (only 19.0 in his career), he’s been plenty disruptive throughout his career, racking up tackles for loss (36) and quarterback hits (67) aplenty. Tomlinson really hangs his hat on being one of the more well-rounded defensive tackles in the league, often seeing his run defense grades as high as his pass rush grades on Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Tomlinson had a decent year in 2024, grading out as the 32nd-best interior defender of 118 players graded by PFF. While that was certainly a strong bounce back from 2023, when he graded 57th (the worst of his career), it still hasn’t been up to par with every other season he’s played with the Giants and Vikings, when he would routinely rank in the top 20. Still, Tomlinson enters free agency as one of the top defensive tackle options available, especially with Milton Williams, Osa Odighizuwa, D.J. Jones, Poona Ford, Jarran Reed, and Tershawn Wharton coming off the board already.

As for the Browns, they’ll likely be looking to fill out their interior defensive line this offseason. Tomlinson will join Maurice Hurst on the free agent market, leaving Shelby Harris as the only returning starter. The team could see last year’s second-round rookie, Michael Hall, step into a bigger role in 2025, but after he only played eight games last season, nothing is certain.

Browns Extend DE Myles Garrett

March 9th, 2025 at 11:52pm CST by Ely Allen

Despite seemingly being at an impasse, the Browns and defensive star Myles Garrett have reportedly found their way back together. After trade demands rang loud not long ago, ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report that Garrett will now remain in Cleveland on an extension that will pay him $40MM per year with $123.5MM in guaranteed money. The four-year extension will keep the 29-year-old in Cleveland through the 2030 season and makes Garret the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the six years left on the contract have a total value of $204.8MM, including $100MM paid out in the first three years, $88.8MM fully guaranteed, and $122.8MM in total guarantees.

The biggest addition to the contract drawing attention from the league media: a no-trade clause. Garrett had two years remaining on his previous deal, but a lack of guaranteed money in those years was a major sticking point for the former Defensive Player of the Year.

A little over a month ago, Garrett sent NFL rumors flying in every direction by requesting a trade. Just over a week ago, Garrett seemingly closed the door on a return to Cleveland, with reports coming out that he was “not open” to an extension with the Browns. Even two days ago, we got reports that team owner Jimmy Haslam declined to even meet with Garrett. Per Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Garrett had made it clear that it wasn’t about the money, that he was adamant about leaving Cleveland because of a lack of belief in the Browns’ direction. Clearly, offering Garrett $40MM per year was the correct direction.

ESPN’s John Keim adds that, when Garrett first made his trade demands, the rest of the league felt it was just about working leverage for the extension. Cleveland never seemed to have any desire to trade their star defensive end. Regardless, the offers came flying in from around the league, with many first-round picks being made available to the Browns. The Browns brass was reportedly “confident all along,” per Mike Jones of The Athletic, that they would work out an extension rather than trade Garrett. They were right.

Garrett’s big payday comes only three days after the Raiders made defensive end Maxx Crosby the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL with an average annual value of $35.5MM. Garrett’s mark blows that out of the water, but even that might not last long. Elite pass rusher paydays continue to be on the way with the likes of Trey Hendrickson, T.J. Watt, and Aidan Hutchinson all in or approaching a period in which extensions will be considered.

Specifically on the hotseat are the Cowboys and Bengals, both of whom have made recent claims that they are prepared to make a star player the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Cincinnati would be doing so for wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase at a position which set a high, new bar when Justin Jefferson set the mark with $35MM per year last year.

Dallas has now backed themselves into a corner for the third time in a row on paying a big player. Last year, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys waited too long to extend both quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. By the time they finally worked out terms, several other players at those positions had continually pushed up the market price, forcing Dallas to settle for even more in their deals with Prescott and Lamb. Similarly, the team’s insistence on waiting until the last second to extend a star player has seen the price they would need to pay to hold on to Micah Parsons rise significantly.

As for Garrett, the price is well-deserved. With four first-team All-Pro selections, two second-team All-Pro selections, and six Pro Bowl selections, Garrett is widely recognized as a top pass rusher in the game. In the last four seasons, he’s finished as the top pass rusher, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), three times, finishing second this year. He has the most sacks in the league over the last three years (44.0) and the second-most in the league since he was drafted in 2017 (102.5) behind only Watt (108.0). His 102.5 sacks are also a franchise high for the Browns.

Garrett will continue to be an anchor on the Browns defense. Rumors that he wanted to join a contender will fall by the wayside for now as he returns to a defense that finished 28th in points allowed and 13th in sacks. The offense may be headed in another direction, though, as the team seems ready to move on from their last huge contract, given to quarterback Deshaun Watson, perhaps in pursuit of a rookie option. Regardless, Garrett will continue to do his job and dominate.

Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam Declines Meeting With Myles Garrett

March 7th, 2025 at 10:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

Myles Garrett‘s trade request came about in the wake of discussions over the Browns’ future. A renewed attempt to speak about the situation has led to the All-Pro meeting a roadblock.

Garrett recently requested to meet in person with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, who declined to do so, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Haslam instead deferred to general manager Andrew Berry, with whom Garrett has spoken on several occasions. To no surprise, Pelissero’s report confirms both parties remain firm in their respective stances.

Garrett remains intent on engineering a change of scenery, as he is not interested in signing a Browns extension (something the team is prepared to authorize). Cleveland’s perspective, meanwhile, has not changed in the time since Garrett went public with his desire to be moved. Haslam, Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski have remained consistent in their bid to present a united front in not giving thought to a trade. That is clearly still the case given Haslam’s decision, although Pelissero notes Garrett is – at this point, at least – willing to miss games if it helps bring about a swap.

The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year played through a number of ailments this past season, appearing in all 17 games and recording 14 sacks. Garrett has earned a first-team All-Pro nod in four of the past five seasons, securing second-team honors in 2022. His decorated career has included a total of only three playoff games across two different years, however, and a path to immediate contention does not appear to be in place. Questions at the quarterback position in particular linger for the Browns.

As expected, the team has worked out another restructure of Deshaun Watson‘s contract. The controversial trade which brought him to Cleveland has not panned out, and the fully guaranteed nature of his pact has created financial issues for the Browns. A low-cost veteran addition could be in store soon as a result, and the No. 2 pick in April’s draft could bring about a new franchise signal-caller. In spite of the opportunities at the position, Garrett is eyeing a fresh start as prepares for his age-30 season.

Teams are reportedly prepared to offer packages including at least one first-round pick, and the Lions have been interested dating back to the 2024 trade deadline. In the event the Browns do begin contemplating a deal, the Eagles will be a team to watch closely. Cleveland did not speak with Garrett or his camp during the Combine, so it remains to be seen when any movement in this situation will take place. Given this latest development, both parties could continue waiting for a lengthy period as the EDGE market takes shape around them.

RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/7/25

March 7th, 2025 at 9:47pm CST by Ely Allen

More teams made tender/non-tender decisions on restricted and exclusive rights free agents today. Here are the latest updates:

RFAs

Tendered:

Non-tendered:

Carolina has tendered Mays with an original-round tender worth $3.26MM. A former sixth-round draft pick, the third-year center will be able field offers from the rest of the league. If an offer comes in, the Panthers would have the chance to match it or let the team sign Mays in exchange for a sixth-round pick. Mays started eight games in 11 appearances last year.

Houston flashed early, particularly when he tallied eight sacks in seven games (only two starts) for the Lions as a rookie. Since then, injuries and inconsistency have kept him from sticking in Detroit or Cleveland.

ERFAs

Tendered:

Non-tendered:

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