Cleveland Browns News & Rumors

Sources Expect Titans To Trade No. 1 Overall Pick; Latest On Browns’, Giants’ QB Plans

February 14th, 2025 at 2:30pm CST by Rory Parks

FEBRUARY 14: The Titans are still trending towards trading the first overall pick in the 2025 Draft.

Of a panel of eight executives, coaches, and scouts, five believe that Tennessee will trade down to add more draft capital, per ESPN’s Turron Davenport, while three believe that they will stay at No. 1 and, most likely, pick a quarterback.

Their decision represents competing beliefs about how to utilize the top pick in the draft while rebuilding a franchise. Multiple members of the panel pointed out that the Titans’ roster needs go far beyond a quarterback. Trading back would allow them to build a better long-term situation for a future franchise signal-caller.

However, the first overall pick is a rare opportunity, and six of the last seven have been used on a quarterback.

“You have to make it count and get your quarterback,” said one assistant coach. “I think that’s what the Titans will do. Keep the top pick and draft Cam Ward.”

FEBRUARY 9: New Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi already indicated during his introductory press conference several weeks ago that his club is open to the possibility of trading the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. Multiple sources tell ESPN’s Dan Graziano they believe Tennessee will do just that (subscription required).

The logic to a trade-down maneuver is clear. The Titans have plenty of holes to fill on their roster, and unless they become convinced one of the top signal-caller prospects in this year’s draft class (Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward) is their surefire QB of the future, moving down to collect additional draft capital makes plenty of sense.

Of course, Borgonzi & Co. are doing their due diligence on Sanders and Ward, and president of football operations Chad Brinker – who has final say over personnel matters, although Borgonzi will run the draft – indicated the team will not pass on a generational talent with the No. 1 pick. In other words, even if the Titans do not think highly enough of Sanders or Ward to make one of them the top overall pick in April, a non-QB blue-chipper like Travis Hunter could still convince Tennessee to retain its coveted position atop the draft board.

If the Titans do not select a QB with their first choice, regardless of where that selection might fall, Graziano notes that a free agent passer like Sam Darnold or Justin Fields could be in play. Or, Tennessee could simply elect to give 2023 second-rounder Will Levis one more shot to prove that he can be the solution under center.

The Browns (No. 2 overall), Giants (No. 3), Raiders (No. 6), and Jets (No. 7) all profile as potential trading partners for the Titans. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who confirms that Tennessee brass is keeping an open mind here, adds the Saints (No. 9) to the list of teams that could engage in trade talks.

Cleveland would not have to move too far up the board to assure itself of its top choice of quarterback prospects, and as Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network (video link) reiterates, the Browns are expected to draft a passer and would have done so even if Deshaun Watson had not suffered a second Achilles tear that puts his 2025 season in jeopardy. Per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (subscription required), Browns GM Andrew Berry believes a long-term starter can be found in this year’s much-maligned crop of collegiate QBs, even beyond the Sanders/Ward tier (although Berry naturally would not suggest otherwise at this point).

Pelissero adds that, no matter when Berry plans to pull the trigger on a college quarterback, Cleveland is also expected to add a veteran at the position. He names Kirk Cousins and Daniel Jones as players to watch in that scenario.

In the same video link cited above, Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network says the Giants – whose only QB under contract at the moment is Tommy DeVito – will likewise be active in the veteran signal-caller market in advance of the draft. Garafolo confirms Darnold will be an option for Big Blue, and the team could again be on Russell Wilson’s radar (a sentiment echoed by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (see Graziano link above)).

Giants owner John Mara said last month he is open to resolving his club’s QB concerns with a veteran and/or a draft pick, though he appeared to suggest a prospect was the preferred route. Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post believes Mara’s team will try to move up to either the No. 1 or No. 2 slot to select a quarterback, and Dan Duggan of The Athletic thinks there is a good chance the Titans and Giants will strike a No. 1-for-No. 3 swap.

QB Jameis Winston Wants To Re-Sign With Browns

February 14th, 2025 at 8:59am CST by Adam La Rose

Jameis Winston is among the veteran quarterbacks set to hit free agency in March. Given the way his Browns tenure ended in 2024, a strong market of outside teams may not be in place provided he finds himself on the move this spring. If Winston has his way, though, he will remain in Cleveland for 2025.

“I would love to go back there,” he said during an appearance on Up & Adams (via cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot). “Cleveland was better than what I expected. Cleveland has the best 90 days of anywhere in the world.”

The former No. 1 pick spent the first nine years of his career in the NFC South (five with the Buccaneers, four with the Saints) before taking a one-year Browns deal last offseason. That $4MM pact gave the team veteran insurance behind Deshaun Watson on the depth chart, something which became significant when he suffered a season-ending Achilles tear.

Watson’s absence opened the door for Winston to take over QB1 duties over a seven-game stretch. The 31-year-old topped 300 passing yards three times over that span – including a 497-yard outing against the Broncos – but his 12 interceptions helped inform the team’s decision to take a different direction to close out the campaign. Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe took over the rest of the way, a sign Cleveland would prefer to move on from Winston this offseason.

Since then, Watson has suffered a second Achilles tear, leaving his 2025 availability in doubt. Thompson-Robinson is on the books for next season, but the team is expected to be in the market for at least one new passer via trade or free agency in the near future. Failing that, the draft will become an area of focus at that position. The Browns own the No. 2 pick, and their evaluation of the top prospects will include a visit with Shedeur Sanders.

Winston made it clear earlier this month that he would be on board with a Giants pact, one which could allow him to operate as a bridge starter depending on how the team operates during the draft. New York also has a Sanders visit lined up, and by means of owning the No. 3 selection the team could be in play for adding him or Cam Ward during the first round. The Giants will no doubt be connected to other passers this spring, though, and it remains to be seen if a reciprocal interest will exist as it pertains to Winston.

The Florida State product has said in the past he still views himself as being capable of operating as a full-time starter in the NFL. Considering his Cleveland performances in 2024, it is difficult to envision an unchallenged opportunity atop a depth chart coming Winston’s way. If the Browns offer him a new deal, though, a second season with the team will become likely.

Shedeur Sanders Lines Up Visits With Browns, Giants

February 13th, 2025 at 4:12pm CST by Adam La Rose

The NFL’s annual Scouting Combine is approaching, and the evaluation of the top prospects will be centered on the event when it takes place. After its conclusion, though, attention will turn to pre-draft visits.

Teams are permitted up to 30 visits with prospects in the period after the Combine and before the draft. Given the lack of high-end quarterbacks available in 2025, one of the top storylines will be how teams near the top of the board operate with respect to Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. The latter already has his first two visits on the books.

Sanders revealed in a video posted by Well Off Media (operated by his brother, Deion Sanders Jr.) that he is set to meet with the Browns and Giants. That comes as no surprise considering the uncertainty both teams face under center. Cleveland is set to select second overall in April’s draft, while New York owns the No. 3 pick.

Deshaun Watson will remain with the Browns for 2025, but his second Achilles tear has created the strong possibility he will miss most (potentially all) of the coming season. Cleveland has Dorian Thompson-Robinson on the books, while Jameis Winston and Bailey Zappe are pending unrestricted and restricted free agents, respectively. The first round of the draft would offer the opportunity of adding a long-term Watson successor, but even if a Myles Garrett trade does not take place Cleveland’s roster has other notable holes.

Once the Giants elected to move on from Daniel Jones, it was clear they would be in the market for a draft addition. Indeed, the team is one to watch closely regarding a possible trade-up maneuver to secure either Sanders or Ward. New York could make a notable veteran addition before the draft, but especially if that does not take place adding either of the class’ top signal-callers in the first round would be expected.

The Titans own the No. 1 pick, and given the opportunity to add a Will Levis replacement they are of course looking heavily into their options. Tennessee has been connected to moving down the board given the relative lack of surefire prospects in the 2025 class, but the same is also true of the rest of the teams slated to select in the top five. How the Browns and Giants view Sanders will of course be central in determining the direction they go in come Day 1 of the draft.

Sanders followed his father from Jackson State to Colorado, putting himself on the round one radar in 2023. This past season, he posted 4,134 yards and a 37:10 touchdown-to-interception ratio along with a 74% completion percentage. Those figures helped him earn Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors and led to an eighth-place finish in Heisman voting. Concerns have been raised about the impact Deion Sanders will have with whichever team selects Shedeur, but his son – who did not practice or play in the Shrine Bowl – said he does not have a preferred destination at this point.

“Out of the teams [reportedly interested], there’s not really one that I’m looking forward to, there’s not really one I’m looking past,” he said (via NFL.com). “It’s all about the process. The teams picking me, I don’t really have much of a say on that.”

Teams Picking In Top-Five May Look To Trade Back

February 12th, 2025 at 8:41pm CST by Ben Levine

While there’s some belief that the Titans will move the No. 1 pick, they may not be the only team atop the draft board looking to make moves. Albert Breer of SI.com believes every team in the top five will at least entertain the idea of trading back.

All of these squads (which includes the Browns (No. 2), Giants (No. 3), Patriots (No. 4), and Jaguars (No. 5)) have plenty of reasons to justify a trade. Each of these teams won’t suddenly vault into contention (or even mediocrity) with just their first-round selection, and picking up additional assets may help them fill out their respective rosters. While these organizations may not be able to get a haul, they could still snag a foundational piece while picking up additional draft picks.

However, Breer also notes that this is partly an indictment on the draft class. Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter are generally considered the draft’s only blue-chip prospects. Teams like the Patriots and Jaguars already have their answers at quarterback, and if those front offices believe they’re out of realistic range for Carter/Hunter, it may make sense to move back and pick up extra pieces.

Further, the draft’s QB depth may convince some teams to pivot. Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders appear to be in their own tier among prospects, but neither of the impending rookies are believed to be generational, can’t-miss players. Instead of reaching for a QB they’re not enamored with, it could make sense for a team like the Giants to target a different position (or maybe a different quarterback) via a trade down the board.

Of course, each of those concerns will work against the teams picking in the top-five. As Breer notes, rival teams may not be as eager to trade up for any of the non-blue-chip prospects. There will surely be suitors, but the offers may not be lucrative enough to convince any of those top-five squads to move on.

It’s pretty common to see at least one top-five squad move off of their original draft position, but we’ve also seen a recent trend of front offices holding on to their best draft assets. Between 2019 and 2022, we only saw one top-five pick change hands (with the 2021 third-overall pick being swapped a few times before landing with the 49ers, who took Trey Lance). A handful of top-five 2023 picks were traded, but even the 2024 draft only saw the first-overall pick stray from its original team (which was a product of a trade involving the 2023 first-overall pick).

Coaching Notes: Shimko, Cowboys, Rams, Giants

February 10th, 2025 at 8:03pm CST by Ben Levine

The Cowboys continue to refine their offensive coaching staff. ESPN’s Todd Archer reports that the Cowboys will name Steve Shimko as their new quarterbacks coach.

After most recently serving as a Cowboys offensive assistant, Shimko is one of the main holdovers on Brian Schottenheimer‘s new staff. However, Shimko is plenty familiar with his new boss, as the two worked alongside each other in Seattle before reuniting in Dallas last year.

During that Seahawks stint, Shimko worked his way up from an offensive analyst into an assistant QBs coach. He left for Boston College in 2020, where he climbed the ranks from tight ends coach to quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator. He only had a one-year stint in that latter role before Bill O’Brien brought on a new staff.

Shimko will be replacing Scott Tolzien, who spent two years coaching Dak Prescott and the Cowboys quarterbacks.

More coaching notes from around the NFL…

Carlos Polk lost out on the Cowboys ST coordinator gig, but he’ll still land in Dallas as the team’s assistant special teams coach under Nick Sorensen, per Archer. Polk held this same role with the Cowboys in 2019, and he’s since held that title with the Jaguars (2021) and Bears (2022-2024). The former NFL linebacker has also had coaching stints with the Chargers and Buccaneers.
After losing Nick Caley to Houston, the Rams have found their new tight ends coach. The team has hired Scott Huff to lead the position grouping, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Huff had coaching stints at the University of Washington and Boise State before catching on with the Seahawks, where he spent last season coaching the offensive line. In Los Angeles, the coach will be responsible for a depth chart that’s currently led by Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson.
The Giants have added Chad Hall to their staff as an assistant quarterbacks coach, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Hall will reunite with Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen, as the trio worked alongside each other during their stints in Buffalo. A former NFL wide receiver, Hall coached that position with the Bills and Jaguars, but after eight years working up the ranks, he is now pivoting to the quarterbacks room.
Adam Morris has accepted a job as the Browns assistant defensive line coach, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. This is the coach’s first foray into the NFL, as he previously held jobs at Ball State, Eastern Illinois, and (most recently) the University at Buffalo. In that latter stop, Morris served as the defensive line coach/run game coordinator.

Updated 2025 NFL Draft Order

February 10th, 2025 at 8:58am CST by Adam La Rose

With Super Bowl LIX in the books, the 2024 campaign has come to a close. The final first-round order for April’s draft is now set as a result.

All 32 teams currently own a Day 1 selection, leaving the door open to each one adding a prospect in the first round for the first time since expansion in 2002. Any number of trades will no doubt take place between now and the draft, though, and it will be interesting to see how teams maneuver in the lead-in to the event. Of course, Tennessee in particular will be worth watching closely with a move to sell off the No. 1 pick being seen as a distinct possibility.

A weak quarterback class will leave teams like the Titans, Browns, Giants and Raiders with plenty of key offseason decisions. The free agent and trade markets do not offer many short-term alternatives which are seen as surefire additions, and teams which do not make moves in March will rely on the incoming group of rookies as part of their efforts to find a long-term solution under center. The two prospects seen as the clear-cut top options in 2025, however, are two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter.

For non-playoff teams, the draft order is determined by the inverted 2024 standings plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. Playoff squads are slotted by their postseason outcome and the reverse order of their regular season record.

Here is a final look at the first-round order:

Tennessee Titans (3-14)
Cleveland Browns (3-14)
New York Giants (3-14)
New England Patriots (4-13)
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13)
Las Vegas Raiders (4-13)
New York Jets (5-12)
Carolina Panthers (5-12)
New Orleans Saints (5-12)
Chicago Bears (5-12)
San Francisco 49ers (6-11)
Dallas Cowboys (7-10)
Miami Dolphins (8-9)
Indianapolis Colts (8-9)
Atlanta Falcons (8-9)
Arizona Cardinals (8-9)
Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
Seattle Seahawks (10-7)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
Denver Broncos (10-7)
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
Green Bay Packers (11-6)
Minnesota Vikings (14-3)
Houston Texans (10-7)
Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
Detroit Lions (15-2)
Washington Commanders (12-5)
Buffalo Bills (13-4)
Kansas City Chiefs (15-2)
Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)

Teams Calling Browns On Myles Garrett; Trade Still Considered Unlikely

February 9th, 2025 at 3:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

Myles Garrett opened Super Bowl week with his public trade request. His situation remains a major league storyline, although the Browns still have no intention of dealing away the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year.

Garrett’s remarks in recent days have confirmed his desire to be moved is not a ploy to secure new guarantees on another Cleveland extension. Rather, the four-time All-Pro wants to join a contender, a situation the Browns are unlikely to find themselves in coming off a 3-14 campaign. Quick turnarounds can and do happen in the NFL, but suitors with a more established quarterback situation can sell themselves as more desirable destinations for the remainder of Garrett’s prime.

“Speaking with the management of the Browns, at this current time, I don’t feel like our future is aligned with winning right now,” the 29-year-old said on ESPN’s Sunday Countdown (video link). “That’s what I’m looking forward to doing at this stage of my career. I have a lot of love for northeast Ohio and a community that brought me into the league. But I want to get to contending and winning playoff games and be in games like [the Super Bowl].

Teams are believed to be willing to offer the Browns at least one first-round pick (potentially two) in the event the team changes its stance. That has not happened yet, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports interested teams do not expect their calls to result in serious traction on the trade front. Given the extent to which Garrett – who has two years left on his pact but no guaranteed money – is committed to a fresh start, though, interest could remain high in the build-up to the new league year in March.

Indeed, Dianna Russini of The Athletic writes teams from both conferences have been in touch with the Browns about the former No. 1 pick (subscription required). They have been informed a deal is still not under consideration, she adds, although Cleveland has apparently added “stay tuned” to the team’s response. Any number of suitors would be interested in at least exploring a trade on this front, and a bidding war could easily ensue amongst teams prepared to part with significant draft capital.

Garrett has amassed at least 10 sacks in each of the past seven years. The six-time Pro Bowler has added 107 tackles for loss over that span, one which has seen him cement his status as one of the best Browns in franchise history and one of the top defenders (regardless of position) in the league. If calls continue to come in, the possibility of a Garrett deal will remain a talking point around the NFL. It will be interesting to see if Cleveland’s front office will budge in the coming weeks or if this saga will stretch deep into the offseason.

Nick Chubb Wants To Re-Sign With Browns

February 8th, 2025 at 10:39pm CST by Ben Levine

Nick Chubb‘s career has hit a few speed bumps over the past couple of years. The Browns star suffered a torn MCL and damaged ACL that limited him to two games in 2023. He returned to the field this past October, but his 2024 campaign ended early thanks to a broken foot.

Now, the running back faces an uncertain future as he enters free agency. If Chubb had his way, he’d remain in Cleveland for the rest of his career. The veteran told Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal that he’d “of course” prefer to re-sign with the only team he’s ever played for and would like to complete a deal “sooner than later.” The RB also cautioned that he’s “not sure how it’ll work” since it’s his first true trip to free agency.

“Man, just for me, the city of Cleveland means lot,” Chubb said. “To me, it’s a special place. The people in Cleveland make it great, the fans and just the people around the city. But always a special place to me in my heart. I loved it here and it will always be home, no matter what.”

Chubb went on a historic run through his first five years in the NFL, averaging 1,466 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns per season. This culminated in a 2022 campaign when he compiled 1,764 offensive yards and 13 scores en route to his first All-Pro nod. Then, as mentioned, Chubb’s career hit some major setbacks. He’s been limited to only 10 games across the past two seasons, and his half-season return in 2024 saw him average a career-low 3.4 yards per touch.

This next deal will represent the third contract of Chubb’s career; the former second-round pick inked a three-year, $36.6MM extension with the Browns in 2021. The team reworked that contract last offseason to assure Chubb would remain in Cleveland for the 2024 campaign, but his future beyond that is very much uncertain. Browns GM Andrew Berry previously acknowledged the RB’s contributions to the organization while also describing the player’s impending free agency as a “challenging situation,” a potential hint that the team may look to move on.

While Chubb’s recent foot injury isn’t expected to impact his 2025 availability, the player’s recent injury history will surely impact his market value. While teams should be willing to gamble on his past production, the impending free agent will be hard pressed to garner a lucrative contract in free agency. Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs barely cracked $12MM average annual values last offseason, while Derrick Henry had to settle for a two-year, $16MM deal. Chubb will likely have to opt for a prove-it deal this offseason, although perhaps he could earn back some money via incentives.

That contract could still come from the Browns, who don’t necessarily have a succession plan at the position. Jerome Ford didn’t necessarily run away with the job while filling in for Chubb, and the former fifth-round pick is one of only two RBs signed for the 2025 campaign (along with Pierre Strong).

Myles Garrett Trade Could Alter CB Denzel Ward’s Browns Future

February 6th, 2025 at 10:06pm CST by Adam La Rose

As the countdown to the Super Bowl continues, one of the top storylines around the NFL is Myles Garrett‘s future. The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year has requested a trade, something the Browns have no intention of honoring.

Teams will no doubt make contact about a potential deal, though, with suitors prepared to offer at least one first-round pick to acquire Garrett. In the event the four-time All-Pro were to depart Cleveland, he may not be the only impact defender on the move. Cornerback Denzel Ward might reconsider his situation with an eye on following Garrett to his new team.

“[The request] has a huge impact, honestly,” Ward said about the escalation of Garrett’s situation (via Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com). “I want to play with Myles Garrett… So I’ve been talking to him and I know he said he wants out, but you’ve just got to hear where he’s coming from. He wants to win, so we’ll see what the near future holds.”

Those comments leave the door open to Ward, 27, requesting a trade of his own in the event the Browns change their plans and move forward with a Garrett deal. The latter has two years (and no guaranteed salary) remaining on his pact, although his trade request is not considered a means of acquiring more negotiating leverage. Ward, meanwhile, is on the books through 2027, although his only remaining locked in salary covers the 2025 campaign.

“I want to be in Cleveland,” the Ohio State product added. “I want to win. I’m definitely keeping an eye on what Myles has going on and what’s he doing. I’m just interested in seeing how everything plays out.”

Garrett floated the possibility of a trade when making it clear he wanted to see the Browns’ offseason outlook to determine his own future. Cleveland does not plan on embarking on a long-term rebuild, and head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry are under contract for the foreseeable future. The quarterback position is an area of uncertainty, though, and without a notable addition under center (among other moves) the Browns will be hard-pressed to contend in the AFC in 2025.

Selected fourth overall in 2018, Ward has provided strong play for the Browns since his arrival. He has amassed four Pro Bowl selections during his career, one which has included considerable ball production. Ward has racked up 17 interceptions and 95 pass deflections (including a league-leading 19 in 2024) to date. In the build-up to the trade deadline – during which edge rusher Za’Darius Smith and wideout Amari Cooper were dealt – Ward was understandably labeled as an untouchable asset for the Browns despite their seller’s standpoint. Whether or not that changes in the coming days or weeks will be interesting to monitor.

Browns Hire Christian Jones As TEs Coach

February 6th, 2025 at 9:50pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Browns are hiring Christian Jones as their next tight ends coach, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Jones spent the 2024 season as the Giants assistant quarterbacks coach and will now reunite with Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland. The two overlapped in Minnesota in 2019 when Stefanski was the Vikings’ offensive coordinator and Jones was in his first NFL job as an offensive quality control coach. He moved up to assistant wide receivers coach in 2020 and 2021, coaching Justin Jefferson to an NFL-record 3,016 receiving yards over his first two seasons.

Jones then joined the staff of Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka in 2022 as the Giants’ assistant quarterbacks coach. New York has struggled with inconsistent quarterback play over the last few years, but Jones pulled a few impressive performances out of undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito in 2023.

Jones attracted interest from multiple NFL teams during this year’s hiring cycle. He interviewed for the quarterbacks coach job in Seattle that ultimately went to Andrew Janocko, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Instead, he will coach tight ends in Cleveland where David Njoku will be looking to rebound after finishing 2024 on injured reserve.

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