Colorado Rockies Hire Browns’ Paul DePodesta As Head Of Baseball Ops
Paul DePodesta is headed back to Major League Baseball.
The Browns’ longtime Chief Strategy Officer is expected to join the Colorado Rockies as their next head of baseball operations, per Ken Rosenthal, Zac Jackson, and Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic. The move is now official.
DePodesta, 52, was hired by the Browns in 2016. He spent the preceding two decades in a variety of front office roles around the MLB, starting with the Cleveland Indians in 1996. DePodesta is perhaps best known for his stint as the assistant general manager of the Oakland Athletics from 1999 to 2004.
During that time, he was a pioneer of sabermetrics and helped bring data analytics into the sports mainstream. He later introduced analytics into many aspects of the Browns organization. He was one of the main individuals featured in Michael Lewis’ bestselling book, “Moneyball,” and Jonah Hill earned an Oscar nomination for playing a DePodesta-based character in the film adaptation. DePodesta was hired in 2004 to be the general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, but was fired after just two seasons. He then spent five years each with the San Diego Padres and the New York Mets in top front office positions before making the leap to the NFL with the Browns.
The Browns went 3-13 in 2015, their worst record since 2000. They fired general manager Ray Farmer and hired DePodesta as CSO and future general manager Andrew Berry as the vice president of player personnel. General counsel Sashi Brown – now the team president of the Ravens – became the vice president of football operations and de facto general manager. The team then went 1-31 over the next two seasons; Brown was fired and John Dorsey took over as general manager in December 2017.
Having amassed a lot of draft capital, including back-to-back No. 1 picks that they used on Myles Garrett and Baker Mayfield, the Browns dug themselves out of the AFC North cellar to finish third in the division in 2018 and 2019, albeit with losing records. Dorsey was replaced with Berry, and new head coach Kevin Stefanski led the 2020 squad to an 11-5 record, the best finish since the team was re-established in 1999.
A step back in 2021 inspired the Browns to move on from Mayfield and trade three first-round picks to the Texans for Deshaun Watson. Watson was then handed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230MM extension. The move, driven in part by DePodesta, drew criticism at the time and has not aged well.
Watson was suspended for the first 11 games of his Browns tenure, and the team went 7-10 that year. An 11-6 finish and playoff berth in 2023 offered a glimmer of hope, but Cleveland has won just five games since. Watson suffered back-to-back season-ending injuries in 2023 (shoulder fracture) and 2024 (Achilles tear) and now appears to be out of the team’s future plans, though his contract will still be on the books for a few more years.
An 11-6 record and a playoff berth in 2023 offered a glimmer of hope in Cleveland, but the team has won just five games since. They now appear to be looking for their next franchise quarterbacks in the next two drafts, for which they should have ample draft capital. The Browns will now continue their seemingly endless rebuild without DePodesta guiding the team’s high-level roster strategy.
The Rockies’ present situation is strikingly similar to the Browns’ when they hired DePodesta. The Rockies went 43-119 in 2025, tied for the third-most losses in Major League Baseball history and their third straight season with at least 100 losses. They have not made the playoffs since 2018 and have never won their division, the National League West.
DePodesta will now be charged with turning the hapless franchise around after precious few successful seasons since their inception in 1993. Owner Dick Monfort has been roundly criticized for a lack of financial investment in the team’s roster and management infrastructure, making DePodesta’s ‘Moneyball’ history particularly relevant. However, his track record since leaving Oakland – in essence, the performance of the teams he has helped run – is not very encouraging.
TE David Njoku Eyeing Browns Extension
Although the Browns moved Joe Flacco to the Bengals and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to the Bears, ridding their team of Joes did not constitute a fire sale. Cleveland kept its contract-year guards (Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller), defensive linemen Shelby Harris and Alex Wright and held onto David Njoku.
Cleveland has seen positive returns from third-round rookie tight end Harold Fannin, and pre-deadline rumors pointed to Njoku being available for the right offer. The contract-year tight end made it clear following the deadline he wants to stay in Cleveland. The nine-year Browns cog said (via cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot) he wants an extension, with Cabot adding the Browns had no intention of trading him.
The Browns paid Njoku in 2022, authorizing a four-year extension worth $54.75MM after franchise-tagging the former first-round pick. Njoku has seen the Browns’ quarterback carousel affect him, but he has remained a useful player amid another Cleveland descent. Njoku has started seven games this season and exits the Browns’ bye at 27 catches, 260 yards and two touchdowns.
Fannin, who put together a monster senior season at Bowling Green, has outproduced Njoku thus far as a pass catcher. The MAC product has 38 receptions for 352 yards and two scores. Pro Football Focus views neither as a particularly effective run blocker, though the advanced metrics site ranks Njoku as one of the NFL’s worst run-blocking tight ends this season. Fannin is signed through 2027 and profiles as a potential long-term piece in Cleveland. Will the Browns attempt to ensure Njoku stays alongside the younger player?
Njoku, who amassed 628 receiving yards in 2022 and a career-high 882 in ’23, sits third in Browns history for receiving yards by a tight end (4,029). That total is less than 200 behind Milt Morin for second in franchise history — behind Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome. Passing Morin would also mean Njoku moves into the top 10 for receiving yardage at any position in Browns annals. Despite being a 2017 draftee, Njoku is only 29. He figures to generate considerable interest as a free agent.
Making it clear he wants to stay with the Browns is interesting given their post-Baker Mayfield quarterback direction. Dillon Gabriel has struggled early, and the team has not exactly shown signs Shedeur Sanders starts are in its plans. The Browns have an extra first-round pick in 2026 to potentially target a quarterback, but that position is uncertain for the time being. Njoku could target teams with more established passers, as Cleveland has not enjoyed any kind of QB1 longevity here since Mayfield — and he went through an up-and-down career in Ohio.
The Browns are still on the hook for Deshaun Watson money in Year 5 of that calamitous contract, one the team has restructured several times. Those restructures ballooned the overpriced QB’s 2026 cap figure to $80.72MM, which would smash an NFL record. The Browns, per OverTheCap, are projected to be more than $12MM over the 2026 salary ceiling. And that is without either of their starting guards under contract.
Barring an extension, Njoku will join a few veteran tight ends in free agency come March. Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, Dallas Goedert, Zach Ertz and Tyler Higbee are unsigned. Njoku is younger than that lot. Among first-time UFAs at the position, Cade Otton, Chig Okonkwo and Isaiah Likely stand out. The Ravens will likely take one of their top two tight ends off the market, with Likely on their extension radar. The Browns have until the March legal tampering period to negotiate exclusively with Njoku, but it does not sound like he is a threat to leave Cleveland without giving the Browns a chance to match an open-market offer.
2025 NFL Trades
The modern NFL features four clear trade windows. While the Cowboys and Steelers’ George Pickens swap showed moves can be made at other points on the NFL calendar, early March, the draft, the late-August 53-man roster-setting date and the November deadline reside as the primary points trades occur around the league. On that note, it is a good time to check in on what has transpired on the trade market ahead of today’s deadline.
Excluding pick-for-pick trades, here are the moves NFL teams have made thus far in 2025:
March 1
- Commanders acquire WR Deebo Samuel from 49ers for No. 147
49ers chose running back Jordan James at 147
March 4
- Bears obtain G Jonah Jackson from Rams for No. 202
Rams traded pick to Vikings, moving up to No. 172 for linebacker Chris Paul Jr.
March 5
- Bears form new guard duo, acquiring Joe Thuney from Chiefs for 2026 fourth-round pick
March 6
- Intra-AFC South swap sends Texans Christian Kirk, Jaguars 2026 seventh-round pick
March 7
- Pete Carroll–Geno Smith reunion sends No. 92 from Raiders to Seahawks
Seahawks chose quarterback Jalen Milroe at 92
March 9
- Steelers acquire WR D.K. Metcalf, No. 185 from Seahawks in exchange for Nos. 52, 223
Seahawks used No. 52 to trade up (via the Titans) 17 spots for safety Nick Emmanwori, drafted running back Damien Martinez at 223; Steelers selected quarterback Will Howard at 185
March 10
- Saints land DT Davon Godchaux from Patriots for 2026 seventh-round pick
- Commanders add LT Laremy Tunsil, No. 128 from Texans for Nos. 79, 236, along with 2026 second-, fourth-round picks
Texans added wide receiver Jaylin Noel at 79, sent 236 to Jaguars in Day 2 trade; Commanders chose wideout Jaylin Lane at No. 128
- Browns acquire QB Kenny Pickett from Eagles for QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, No. 164
Eagles used No. 164 to climb one spot (via Chiefs) in first round for linebacker Jihaad Campbell
March 11
- Texans bring in S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, 2026 sixth-round pick from Eagles for G Kenyon Green, 2026 fifth-rounder
March 12
- Cowboys obtain CB Kaiir Elam, No. 204 from Bills in exchange for No. 170, 2026 seventh-round choice
Bills took Ohio State cornerback Jordan Hancock at 170; Cowboys chose guard Ajani Cornelius at No. 204
- Cowboys acquire LB Kenneth Murray, No. 239 from Titans for No. 188
Titans drafted running back Kalel Mullings at No. 188; Cowboys chose running back Phil Mafah at 239
March 13
- Texans add G Ed Ingram from Vikings in exchange for 2026 sixth-round pick
March 15
- Vikings acquire RB Jordan Mason, No. 187 from 49ers for No. 160, 2026 sixth-round pick
Vikings packaged No. 187 in trade-down move (via Texans); 49ers drafted safety Marques Sigle at 160
April 3
- Cowboys obtain QB Joe Milton, No. 217 from Patriots in exchange for No. 171
Patriots traded down from No. 171 (via Lions) to draft kicker Andres Borregales; Cowboys chose defensive tackle Jay Toia at 217
April 26
- Vikings acquire QB Sam Howell, No. 172 from Seahawks in exchange for 142
Seahawks selected defensive lineman Rylie Mills at No. 142; Vikings traded No. 172 to Rams
May 7
- Cowboys add WR George Pickens, 2027 sixth-round pick from Steelers for 2026 third-round pick, 2027 fifth-rounder
June 2
- 49ers land DE Bryce Huff from Eagles in exchange for conditional 2026 fifth-round pick
Pick could upgrade to fourth-rounder if performance-based conditions are met
June 30
- Steelers add CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith, 2027 seventh-round pick from Dolphins for S Minkah Fitzpatrick, 2027 fifth -round pick
July 1
- Dolphins to acquire TE Darren Waller, conditional 2027 seventh-round pick from Giants in exchange for 2026 sixth-rounder
August 4
- Eagles to acquire CB Jakorian Bennett from Raiders in exchange for DT Thomas Booker
August 17
- Eagles land WR John Metchie, 2025 fifth-round pick from Texans in exchange for TE Harrison Bryant, 2026 sixth-rounder
- Saints acquire C Luke Fortner from Jaguars in exchange for DL Khalen Saunders
August 20
- Jets add DT Jowon Briggs, 2026 seventh-round pick from Browns for 2026 sixth-rounder
- Jets obtain DL Harrison Phillips, 2027 seventh-round pick from Vikings for 2026, 2027 sixth-rounders
- Saints land WR Devaughn Vele from Broncos for 2026 fourth-round pick, 2027 seventh-rounder
- 49ers acquire WR Skyy Moore, 2027 seventh-round pick from Chiefs for 2027 sixth-rounder
August 22
- 49ers bring in RB Brian Robinson from Commanders in exchange for conditional 2026 sixth-round pick
August 24
- Eagles acquire QB Sam Howell, 2026 sixth-round pick from Vikings for 2026 fifth-rounder, 2027 seventh
- Chiefs add DT Derrick Nnadi, conditional 2027 seventh-round from Jets for conditional 2027 sixth-rounder
- Eagles bring back T Fred Johnson from Jaguars in exchange for 2026 seventh-round pick
- Packers obtain OL Darian Kinnard from Eagles for 2027 sixth-round pick
August 25
- Raiders acquire QB Kenny Pickett from Browns for 2026 fifth-round pick
- Colts add CB Mekhi Blackmon from Vikings for 2026 sixth-round pick
August 26
- Browns acquire T KT Leveston from Rams for 2028 seventh-round pick
- Falcons add T Michael Jerrell from Seahawks for conditional 2027 seventh-round pick
- Saints bring in T Asim Richards, 2028 seventh-round pick from Cowboys for 2028 sixth-rounder
- Chargers acquire T Austin Deculus from Texans in exchange for conditional 2027 seventh-round pick
August 27
- Jaguars obtain WR Tim Patrick from Lions for 2026 sixth-round pick
- Vikings land WR Adam Thielen, conditional 2026 seventh-round pick, 2027 fifth-rounder from Panthers for 2026 fifth-round choice, 2027 fourth
August 28
- Packers acquire DE Micah Parsons from Cowboys for DT Kenny Clark, 2026, 2027 first-round picks
September 8
- Eagles add RB Tank Bigsby from Jaguars in exchange for 2026 fifth-, sixth-round picks
2026 fifth-round pick (from Bryce Huff trade) could upgrade to fourth-rounder, which would be sent to Jacksonville if 49ers DE meets those conditions
September 14
- Saints obtain WR Ja’Lynn Polk, 2028 seventh-round pick from Patriots for 2027 sixth-rounder
September 23
- Jets acquire CB Jarvis Brownlee, 2026 seventh-round pick from Titans for 2026 sixth-rounder
September 29
- Browns add LT Cam Robinson, 2027 seventh-round pick from Texans for 2027 sixth-rounder
October 7
- Bengals obtain QB Joe Flacco, 2026 sixth-round pick from Browns for 2026 fifth-rounder
- Chargers land OLB Odafe Oweh, 2027 seventh-round pick from Ravens for S Alohi Gilman, 2026 fifth-rounder
October 8
- Browns acquire CB Tyson Campbell, 2026 seventh-round pick from Jaguars for CB Greg Newsome, 2026 sixth-rounder
October 27
- Rams add CB Roger McCreary, 2026 sixth-round pick from Titans for 2026 fifth-rounder
October 28
- 49ers bring in DE Keion White, 2026 seventh-round pick from Patriots for 2026 sixth-rounder
- Steelers acquire S Kyle Dugger, 2026 seventh-round pick from Patriots for 2026 sixth
October 29
- Eagles add CB Michael Carter II, 2027 seventh-round pick from Jets for WR John Metchie, 2027 sixth-rounder
November 1
- Eagles acquire CB Jaire Alexander, 2027 seventh-round pick from Ravens for 2026 sixth-rounder
November 3
- Eagles obtain OLB Jaelan Phillips from Dolphins in exchange for 2026 third-round pick
- Ravens land OLB Dre’Mont Jones from Titans for conditional fifth-round pick
November 4
- Cowboys acquire LB Logan Wilson from Bengals for 2026 seventh-round pick
- Jaguars bring in WR Jakobi Meyers, sending 2026 fourth-, sixth-round picks to Raiders
- Colts obtain CB Sauce Gardner from Jets, who collect WR Adonai Mitchell, 2026, 2027 first-round picks
- Seahawks add WR Rashid Shaheed from Saints for 2026 fourth-, fifth-round picks
- Bears acquire DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, 2026 seventh-round pick from Browns for 2026 sixth-rounder
- Cowboys land DT Quinnen Williams from Jets for DT Mazi Smith, 2026 second-round pick, 2027 first-rounder
Higher of Cowboys’ two 2027 firsts will go to Jets in Williams trade
- Chargers add OL Trevor Penning from Saints in exchange for 2027 seventh-round pick
- Jets acquire CB Ja’Sir Taylor from Chargers for conditional 2028 seventh-round pick
Bears To Acquire Joe Tryon-Shoyinka From Browns
The Bears entered deadline day eyeing help along the defensive line. With the deadline approaching, Chicago has agreed to acquire pass rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka from Cleveland, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports.
The Bears will also receive a seventh-round pick, while the Browns will nab a sixth-rounder, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. The seventh-rounder originally belonged to the Eagles, according to Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. The Browns acquired the selection from the Jaguars last month in the teams’ Greg Newsome–Tyson Campbell trade.
Months after the Buccaneers won Super Bowl LV, they used the 32nd overall pick in the draft on Tryon-Shoyinka in 2021. The former Washington Huskie spent his first four years in Tampa Bay, where he started in 45 of 66 appearances and collected 15 sacks. That wasn’t enough to prevent the Buccaneers from allowing Tryon-Shoyinka to walk in free agency last winter.
Tryon-Shoyinka’s first trip to the open market led him to Cleveland on a one-year, $4.75MM pact. Despite appearing in all eight of the Browns’ games this season, Tryon-Shoyinka wasn’t much of a factor before the trade. The 26-year-old combined for just 89 snaps between defense and special teams. The majority of his snaps (58) came as part of the ST unit. He totaled nine tackles and no sacks with the out-of-contention Browns, who are now moving in another direction.
The Bears, 5-3 and in playoff contention, are unsurprisingly adding to their defensive line after losing end Dayo Odeyingbo to a season-ending Achilles tear in a 47-42 win over the Bengals in Week 9. Considering Odeyingbo led Bears D-linemen in snaps, it’s possible the Bears will aim for further additions before the deadline.
With the Bears ranking toward the bottom of the league in sacks (17), 26th in total defense, and 29th in points per game allowed, Tryon-Shoyinka may not move the needle much for Chicago. Nevertheless, the Bears will hope Tryon-Shoyinka can make more of an impact in their uniform than he did with the Browns. If Tryon-Shoyinka does prove to be a solid buy-low pickup for the Bears, they could re-sign him before he returns to free agency next offseason.
Browns Hand Play-Calling Duties To OC Tommy Rees
Coming out of the Browns’ bye week, Tommy Rees will no longer be a non-play-calling offensive coordinator. Kevin Stefanski is shifting gears, revealing (via cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot) he will hand his first-year OC the call sheet.
This marks the second straight year the two-time Coach of the Year has given up play-calling duties. Barely a year ago, Stefanski gave then-OC Ken Dorsey play-calling responsibilities. The Browns finished 3-14, and Stefanski reclaimed the role he had otherwise held since 2020. Cleveland’s offense is scuffling again, and the team’s 33-year-old OC will be sending Dillon Gabriel the plays beginning in Week 10.
The Browns rank 30th in scoring and 31st in both total offense and EPA per play. Gabriel is averaging a nonfunctional 4.9 yards per attempt, doing so after Joe Flacco was demoted with a 5.1-yard average per pass. The Browns have shown no signs they are considering another benching at QB; instead, Stefanski has again benched himself. The 2-6 team will hope this can ignite the third-round rookie.
Rees called plays at Alabama during his 2023 OC season, Nick Saban‘s last in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide ranked 24th in points per game in Saban’s finale, a 12-2 season. Jalen Milroe‘s first year as Alabama’s starting QB produced better numbers — from a passing standpoint — than his second. The eventual Seahawks third-rounder averaged 10.0 yards per attempt as a sophomore and completed 65.8% of his passes. In 2024, those numbers dipped slightly, though Milroe’s rushing work bettered his 2023 numbers in that department.
Stefanski, who hired Rees as his tight ends coach in 2024, giving up play-calling duties in back-to-back years certainly does not provide a portrait of HC stability in Cleveland. It is worth wondering if the Browns simply have poor quarterback talent, as Stefanski’s offense has worked with Flacco (2023 version) and Baker Mayfield at the controls.
Despite Deshaun Watson being at the helm for much of the 2023 season, the Browns ranked 10th offensively. They hovered between 14th and 20th during Stefanski’s first three seasons, with Mayfield’s final healthy Cleveland campaign (2020) producing a 14th-place ranking and the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2002. Cleveland’s offense has been unreliable, outside of Flacco 1.0, since Mayfield’s 2021 shoulder injury.
Jimmy Haslam has largely taken ownership of the Watson trade, even though GM Andrew Berry said he and Stefanski were both onboard with it at the time. The catastrophic misstep would seemingly have both power brokers on hot seats, but the once-trigger-happy owner has stuck with this partnership — which is now in Year 6. The Browns not turning things around during the second half will invite more scrutiny about the state of their HC-GM duo, but for now, Stefanski will try another play-calling switch to provide a spark.
AFC North Rumors: Hendrickson, Njoku, Browns, Ravens
Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic recently reported the Bengals would keep DE Trey Hendrickson through Tuesday’s trade deadline, even if they drop their Week 9 matchup with the Bears to fall to 3-6. ESPN’s Adam Schefter offers some pushback on that front.
Notwithstanding Dehner’s report and similar ones that preceded it, Schefter’s sources say a loss to Chicago could indeed change Cincinnati’s calculus. The Bengals will still see themselves as championship contenders in 2026, and trading Hendrickson will deprive them of exclusive negotiating rights with their top defensive player this offseason.
But negotiations between player and team over the past several years have become contentious and have not yielded a new long-term contract, and a franchise tag will surely not sit well with the four-time Pro Bowler. As such, it would not be surprising if the teams that have already attempted to pry Hendrickson from Cincinnati keep trying to do so, and those efforts may well intensify if the Bengals lose the Chicago contest.
Now for more AFC North trade rumors:
- TE David Njoku has been mentioned as a trade candidate, and while the Browns want to keep as many talented pass catchers as possible in the fold in order to properly evaluate their young signal-callers, SI.com’s Albert Breer believes the right offer could convince them to pull the trigger on Njoku (Breer says Cleveland would also want Njoku to sign off on such a deal). In the same report cited above, Schefter says the Browns are not only disinclined to move Njoku, but that they could actually be aggressive deadline buyers.
- Despite sitting at 3-5, the Ravens are the betting favorites to win the AFC North, so they could look to strengthen their roster at the deadline rather than sell off players on expiring deals. Cornerback had already been identified as an area of need, and Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required) recently reiterated that point. The Athletic colleague Dan Duggan names the Giants’ Deonte Banks – a Baltimore native who has seen a dramatic reduction in playing time this year – as a possible target (though Duggan suggests a Banks trade may be more likely in the offseason).
- Although they are in the market for a CB addition, the Ravens have jettisoned Jaire Alexander to the Eagles in exchange for a minimal return, which is reflective of Alexander’s brief and disappointing Baltimore tenure.
- A club that has been among the most aggressive in seeking a wide receiver, a recent report confirmed the Steelers are still on the lookout for WR help. They have inquired about Raiders wideout Jakobi Meyers, who is arguably the top trade candidate at the position.
Dolphins-Chris Grier Fallout: McDaniel, Waddle, Replacement Candidates
Chris Grier‘s lengthy tenure with the Dolphins – including a GM run dating back to 2016 – has come to an end. It remains to be seen if head coach Mike McDaniel will remain in the organization past the end of this season, but that is a possibility at this point. 
Owner Stephen Ross “still believes in” the embattled coach, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports. That stance was confirmed by the news earlier today stating McDaniel will continue in his role through the end of the campaign. His performance over the coming weeks will in large part dictate whether or change on the sidelines will be made as well. Per Jackson, McDaniel has made a number of small changes in his approach over the past two weeks, including more one-on-one time being spent with players.
As Jackson adds, Ross is evaluating everything in the organization at this time. With respect to the front office, interim GM Champ Kelly will look to earn the full-time position while the fate of McDaniel (who landed an extension last offseason) will continue to be a talking point as the campaign winds down. Last night’s loss dropped Miami to 2-7 on the year, making the team an interesting one to watch ahead of next week’s trade deadline.
Several notable players have long been connected to trade interest, especially given the Dolphins’ struggles in 2025. Jaylen Waddle is among them, although it would come as a surprise if a deal were to be worked out on that front. Indeed, Grier was insistent on keeping the 26-year-old, SNY’s Connor Hughes reports. That was certainly a reasonable approach given Waddle’s importance to the Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill-less passing game. Now, though, the decision to part ways with Grier could open the door to more trades taking place than otherwise would have.
The timing of this move is intriguing since it comes just before the deadline. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports some around the NFL were surprised by the fact Grier’s run ended at this point of the season. He adds, on the other hand, the longtime executive was increasingly “feeling the pressure” with respect to his job security as the campaign progressed, meaning today’s news does not come entirely as a shock.
Kelly has until Tuesday afternoon to make a final decision on trades. In the meantime, attention will turn to his ability to earn the full-time gig while outside candidates receive consideration during the 2026 hiring cycle. With respect to potential general manager hires, Jones lists Alec Halaby (Eagles), Ed Dodds (Colts), Ian Cunningham (Bears), Glenn Cook (Browns), Jon-Eric Sullivan (Packers) and Lance Newmark (Commanders) as names to watch. Each of those executives have been connected to GM vacancies in recent years and at least most of them no doubt will be again in 2026. Connections to Miami’s opening will be worth watching for as the hiring cycle takes shape.
‘No Chance’ Browns Trade Myles Garrett Before Deadline
It’s not often that someone regrets taking $160MM. But Myles Garrett‘s visible frustration during the Browns 32-13 loss to the Patriots suggested he may have second thoughts about signing an extension in Cleveland earlier this year.
Garrett notched 5.5 sacks in New England on Sunday, setting a Browns single-game record (that he first set in 2021 with 4.5 sacks). But immediately after his final sack, Garrett slammed his helmet on the sidelines (via FOX Sports). After the game, he strode into his press conference playing Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “A Simple Man” on his phone, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano, and continued to express his disappointment with the Browns’ season.
“I want to win,” said Garrett (via The Athletic’s Zac Jackson). He added that his sideline frustration stemmed from a desire to stay in the game. Cleveland had pulled their starters, but New England’s were still in the game.
When asked about the team’s current situation more generally, Garrett responded, “It doesn’t get any easier each week you ask it.”
The Browns’ struggles have reignited trade talk surrounding the four-time All-Pro, but there is no way that Garrett is moved before this year’s deadline, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot.
Garrett’s contract is often cited as a primary reason that he won’t be traded, but Graziano notes that the finances are still workable for Cleveland. His deal includes fully guaranteed option bonuses in 2026, 2027, and 2028 (via OverTheCap) that an acquiring team would have to pay. The Browns would only have to absorb a $41MM dead cap hit in 2026, hardly a desirable outcome but still just over half of what the Broncos ate when they parted ways with Russell Wilson. Graziano also mentioned the Browns’ offseason pursuit of public funding for a new stadium, which could have been complicated by trading away the face of the franchise. The funding was signed into law via the state of Ohio’s budget in July, so that potential obstacle to moving Garrett is now gone.
In other words, the Browns could trade Garrett if they want to, but it seems the desire is just not there. Their strategy may be to wait until the end of the season when they can acquire a veteran quarterback or, more likely, target a top prospect in the 2026 draft. That could convince Garrett to stick around, but he may not be willing to trust the franchise after putting his faith in them to build a competitive team this season. It seems possible, if not likely, that he renews his trade request in the offseason in an attempt to play for a championship contender next year.
Trading Garrett could also give the Browns even more draft capital to aggressively pursue a rookie quarterback next spring. They already have two first-round picks after trading down from No. 2 with the Jaguars (who moved up for Travis Hunter), and another could ensure that they can trade for virtually any pick, if it’s available.
Browns Shopping S Rayshawn Jenkins
With the Nov. 4 trade deadline around the corner, the last-place Browns have swung a couple of deals in recent weeks. General manager Andrew Berry sent quarterback Joe Flacco to the Bengals and pulled off a cornerback swap with the Jaguars, acquiring Tyson Campbell for Greg Newsome.
While Berry is unlikely to conduct a pre-deadline fire sale, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him deal a couple of veterans on expiring contracts. As a soon-to-be free agent, safety Rayshawn Jenkins is a candidate for a change of scenery over the next week. The Browns are indeed “open to trading” Jenkins, veteran insider Jordan Schultz reports.
After dividing his first eight NFL seasons among the Chargers, Jaguars, and Seahawks, Jenkins joined the Browns on an inexpensive one-year deal worth $1.42MM last May. Jenkins came to Cleveland with 89 starts under his belt, including anywhere from nine to 17 over the previous six seasons. However, he hasn’t been a major factor on defense this year.
With Ronnie Hickman and Grant Delpit in place as the Browns’ starting safety tandem, the 31-year-old Jenkins played just 21.5% of defensive snaps during the team’s first eight games. He has tallied 21 tackles and an interception, the 11th of his career, thus far.
Hickman, who fended off Jenkins for a starting role over the summer, leads all Browns defenders in snaps and ranks as Pro Football Focus’ second-best safety. With him and Delpit entrenched in their roles, most of Jenkins’ playing time has come on special teams. His 55.6% ST snap share ranks fourth on the Browns. He leads the league with 13 special teams tackles.
With the Seahawks in the early stages of the offseason last winter, they let him seek a trade out of Seattle earlier this year. The Seahawks released Jenkins after they could not find a taker for a player attached to a $4.89MM base salary. With Jenkins now earning significantly less, Cleveland may have an easier time finding a trade partner in the coming days.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/27/25
A look at Monday’s practice squad moves from around the NFL…
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: TE Caden Prieskorn
- Released: RB Ahmani Marshall
Detroit Lions
- Released: CB Kendall Fuller
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
- Released: DE Seth Coleman
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: DE Titus Leo
Washington Commanders
- Released: WR Robbie Chosen
The Lions have moved on from Fuller just under two weeks after they brought him into the fold. A 104-game starter in the NFL, the 30-year-old joined the Lions on Oct. 14 with injuries ravaging their secondary. He didn’t appear in a game with the Lions, though, and they’re parting with him after their secondary held its own in a Week 7 win over the Buccaneers. Now coming off their bye, the Lions could get injured corner Terrion Arnold (shoulder) back from a two-game absence on Sunday against the Vikings. Arnold will participate in padded practice on Tuesday, per Rainer Sabin of the Detroit Free Press.
A second-round pick of the Chiefs in 2017, Kpassagnon played in four games with the Bears earlier this season. The 31-year-old picked up five tackles and a sack before the team released him on Oct. 21.
Chosen, who signed with the Commanders on Sept. 30, made his lone appearance with them in a loss to the Cowboys in Week 7. As part of what was a depleted receiving corps, Chosen hauled in all four targets for 36 yards. However, Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel are healthy again, leading the Commanders to cut ties with Chosen. Since debuting with the Jets in 2016, Chosen has amassed 384 receptions and 30 touchdowns.


