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Anthony Schwartz Anthony Schwartz Participating in minicamp
Mon, Jun 12, 2023, 6:51 PM
Schwartz participated in Cleveland's mandatory minicamp last week after recovering from an undisclosed injury, Scott Petrak of the BrownsZone reports.
Analysis: Schwartz returned to practice during the team's mandatory minicamp after working on the side during OTAs. The 2021 third-round pick has found himself buried on the depth chart, and could find himself competing for a roster post heading into the start of the season. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Absent for voluntary program
Tue, Apr 19, 2022, 11:39 AM
Mayfield (shoulder) wasn't present Tuesday for the start of the Browns' voluntary offseason program, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Mayfield's absence was anticipated, as he's still rehabbing from surgery on the labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. Moreover, it's expected that the Browns will look to trade Mayfield following the team's addition last month of fellow quarterback Deshaun Watson. Per Cabot, of the franchises potentially in the mix for Mayfield's services, the Panthers may have the best chance to deal for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. |
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Deshaun Watson Deshaun Watson Present for offseason workouts
Tue, Apr 19, 2022, 10:40 AM
Watson is in Cleveland on Tuesday for the start of the Browns' offseason program, while fellow quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder) isn't in attendance, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: As expected, given that Mayfield reportedly requested a trade in mid-March when the Browns were revealed to be pursuing Watson, who ultimately chose Cleveland over Atlanta and New Orleans. The Browns still have a few things to hash out in their QB room before Week 1, starting with a possible NFL suspension for Watson and a trade to find Mayfield a new home. Potential fits for Mayfield include Seattle and Carolina, though it isn't clear either team is willing to give up anything significant for the 27-year-old QB. Watson, 26, is still facing civil suits for allegations of sexual misconduct, after a Harris County, TX grand jury voted not to indict him on criminal charges in March. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Ready to move on
Thu, Apr 14, 2022, 11:04 AM
As the 2022 NFL Draft approaches, the Browns are actively looking to trade Mayfield (shoulder), ESPN's Jake Trotter reports.
Analysis: For his part, Mayfield, who acknowledged that he feels "disrespected" by the Browns after they traded for fellow QB Deshaun Watson last month, "is ready for the next chapter." With the Colts having dealt for Matt Ryan, Indianapolis -- once a preferred destination for Mayfield -- is out of the running to make a move for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 Draft. With that in mind, the Seahawks, who traded away Russell Wilson this offseason, continue to profile as a potential fit for Mayfield, who is under contract for the coming season at $18.9 million (fully guaranteed). The 27-year-old is bouncing back from a procedure that he underwent in January to repair a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. |
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David Njoku David Njoku Extension talks active
Fri, Apr 1, 2022, 8:34 AM
Njoku and the Browns are engaged in active talks on a contract extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Cleveland has already applied the franchise tag to Njoku, giving both sides until July 15 to agree to terms on a multi-year deal. If a long-term agreement can't be reached, Njoku will play out the 2022 campaign on a $10.8 million salary. With Austin Hooper no longer on the roster and Deshaun Watson now atop the Browns' quarterback depth chart, Njoku could be facing a legitimate breakout opportunity. Cleveland stands to add more pass catchers as the offseason continues, potentially in April's draft, but the 2017 first-rounder will still have a clear path to a notable role on offense. |
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Amari Cooper Amari Cooper Restructures contract
Sat, Mar 19, 2022, 4:50 PM
Cooper restricted his deal Saturday converting the majority of his $20 million base salary into a signing bonus while adding two additional void years, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: The move was made immediately following the team's acquisition of Deshaun Watson and his record-setting five-year, $230 million contract Friday. Cooper figures to be in a prime position to regain his form after a down season in which the Pro Bowl wideout compiled 68 receptions, 865 yards and eight touchdowns across 15 games. |
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Jacoby Brissett Jacoby Brissett Joins Cleveland as backup
Sat, Mar 19, 2022, 3:50 PM
Brissett signed a one-year contract with the Browns on Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Brissett's contract will be presumably be on the cheaper side considering the Browns just traded Chase Keenum to the Bills on Saturday in lieu of paying him $7.1 million this season. Brissett was truly miserable as Tua Tagovailoa's backup last season finishing the season with 1,114 passing yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions across five starts, but the 29-year-old has a wealth of experience and has proven capable when forced into action in the past. Brissett is expected to back up newly acquired starter Deshaun Watson and could be forced to start a number of games if the aforementioned Clemson product is suspended for any duration of time. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Trade now likely
Fri, Mar 18, 2022, 3:26 PM
The Browns will seek a trade partner for Mayfield (shoulder) after acquiring Deshaun Watson from the Texans for multiple draft picks Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: The Browns entered the fray for Watson this week, only to be considered out of the running for his services Thursday. One day later, though, Cleveland landed the quarterback, leaving Mayfield in limbo. According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, Mayfield prefers the Colts among all the QB-needy teams, but it remains to be seen where he lands. Once his destination is known, Mayfield may be delayed in throwing to his new teammates as he continues his recovery from January surgery to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. |
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Deshaun Watson Deshaun Watson Chooses Browns over Saints, Falcons
Fri, Mar 18, 2022, 3:02 PM
Watson is waiving his no-trade clause to facilitate a trade to the Browns, changing his mind Friday after reports earlier in the week suggested he'd ruled the team out, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Numerous reports had Watson deciding between the Saints and Falcons, after the Panthers and Browns came up short in their efforts to woo him. With the QB now changing his mind, Houston and Cleveland will finalize terms of a trade, while Watson already has a contract arrangement in place with his soon-to-be team, getting a five-year, $230 million deal that's fully guaranteed, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. A grand jury recently declined to indict Watson on criminal charges, but he's still facing civil suits (and potentially an NFL suspension) for allegations of sexual misconduct. Per Schefter, the Browns are reportedly sending three first-round picks, a third-round pick and a fourth-rounder to the Texans in exchange for Watson and a fifth-rounder. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Requests trade from Browns
Thu, Mar 17, 2022, 2:52 PM
Mayfield (shoulder) has reportedly requested a trade from the Browns, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network and Adam Schefter of ESPN report.
Analysis: This comes on the heels of the Browns looking into a possible trade for fellow quarterback Deshaun Watson. While Cleveland in no longer in the mix on that front, it appears as though Mayfield is looking for a fresh start elsewhere. However, shortly after reports of his desire to be moved surfaced, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com relayed that the Browns do not wish to accommodate Mayfield's request. The signal caller underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder Jan. 19 and is expected to be fully cleared well in advance of training camp. |
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Baker Mayfield Baker Mayfield Likely stays starter with no Watson
Thu, Mar 17, 2022, 10:20 AM
The Browns are out of the running to trade for Deshaun Watson and now view Mayfield (shoulder) as their starting quarterback moving forward, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: It might be an awkward relationship with everyone well aware the Browns pursued an upgrade in the offseason. That said, the team reportedly told Mayfield's agent they would only look into top-notch QBs, suggesting they'll now move forward with Mayfield rather than trading him away and bringing in a different mid/low-level starter. The soon-to-be 27-year-old QB is scheduled to play out 2022 under the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, assuming he and the Browns are able to move forward together. The team may view the upcoming NFL Draft as another avenue to find a potential franchise QB. In the meantime, Mayfield will continue rehabbing from January shoulder surgery. |
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Austin Hooper Austin Hooper Likely to be released
Wed, Mar 16, 2022, 9:31 AM
The Browns plan to release Hooper, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: There were rumors this would happen, especially after the team used a franchise tag on fellow TE David Njoku, though a report last week suggested the Browns also planned to keep Hooper. It sounds like they'll now move on from the veteran tight end, after two seasons of a four-year, $42 million contract. The 27-year-old tight end caught 84 passes for 780 yards and seven touchdowns in 29 regular-season games with Cleveland the past two seasons. |
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Jarvis Landry Jarvis Landry Granted permission to seek trade
Sat, Mar 12, 2022, 2:14 PM
The Browns have granted Landry and his representation an opportunity to seek a trade, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: This comes after the Browns acquired Amari Cooper and his $20 million salary in a trade Saturday, all but ending Landry's four-year tenure with the franchise. It's hard to imagine a WR-needy team trading significant draft compensation for the 29-year-old, who is scheduled to count $16.38 million against the cap, especially with a loaded class of incoming rookie WRs and a healthy group of free-agent targets set to become available. As a result, it wouldn't be entirely surprising to see the Browns outright cut the star slot wide receiver, dramatically opening up the number of possible destinations for Landry. |
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Amari Cooper Amari Cooper Sent to Cleveland
Sat, Mar 12, 2022, 1:13 PM
The Browns acquired Cooper and a 2022 sixth-round pick from the Cowboys on Saturday in exchange for a 2022 fifth-round pick and a 2022 sixth-round pick, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Analysis: The compensation might appear light considering the 27-year-old has played at a Pro Bowl level almost every year he's been healthy, but with Cooper due $20 million each of the next three seasons, the cap implications essentially forced the Cowboys to settle for a modest return. Now situated as the clear No. 1 wideout in a Cleveland offense that could soon lose Jarvis Landry, Cooper should be the primary target when the run-first Browns do opt to throw the ball. |
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D'Ernest Johnson D'Ernest Johnson To be tendered by Browns
Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 8:13 AM
Cleveland intends to tender Johnson at the right of first refusal number, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The Browns will have the ability to match any offer Johnson receives from another team, setting him up for a one-year contract around $2.43 million unless more offers enter the mix. Johnson showed out well last season, recording three contests with over 100 scrimmage yards, and Cleveland appears to be prioritizing an intact backfield. Considering that Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt (ankle) combined to miss 12 games due to injury last year, Johnson's depth role could prove a vital one. |
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Austin Hooper Austin Hooper Likely back in Cleveland
Tue, Mar 8, 2022, 7:28 AM
The Browns plan to keep Hooper for the 2022 season, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.
Analysis: There was speculation that Cleveland would move on from Hooper, whose hefty contract has not been commensurate with the tight end's production over his first two seasons with the team. That notion grew after the Browns franchised fellow tight end David Njoku on Monday, but Fowler's report appears to end that speculation. Hooper is due $9.5 million and carries a $13.2 million cap hit in 2022, per Spotrac.com. The team would save only $2 million if they moved on, so it might be best to keep Hooper around in case Njoku doesn't live up to the $10.9 million franchise tag. |
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Johnny Stanton Johnny Stanton Lone FB on roster
Tue, Mar 8, 2022, 7:08 AM
Stanton is the lone fullback on the Browns' roster after the team declined an option on Andy Janovich's contract.
Analysis: The Janovich decision means he'll become an unrestricted free agent when the new NFL year begins March 16. As important as the running game is to Cleveland's offense, expect the team to add fullbacks during the offseason to compete with Stanton as a lead blocker for Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. |
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Ja'Marcus Bradley Ja'Marcus Bradley Tendered by Cleveland
Mon, Mar 7, 2022, 12:18 PM
The Browns tendered Bradley's contract Monday.
Analysis: An exclusive rights free agent this offseason, the 25-year-old wideout made five appearances for the Browns last year and caught all four of his targets for 64 yards. He also operated as the team's kick returner during the final week of the regular season, returning two kicks for 49 yards. |
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David Njoku David Njoku Franchise tag applied
Mon, Mar 7, 2022, 12:04 PM
The Browns have officially placed their franchise tag on Njoku.
Analysis: Per Jake Trotter of ESPN.com, the Browns now have until July 15 to work out a long-term contract with Njoku. Otherwise, Njoku will be slated to play on a franchise tender that guarantees him $10.8 million in 2022, NFL.com reports. Meanwhile, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport indicates that Njoku's agent has been in long-term negotiations toward an extension with Cleveland. The team also has fellow tight ends Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant under contract this coming season, an arrangement that caps Njoku's fantasy ceiling when all three players are available. In 16 games in 2021, the 2017 first-rounder parlayed his 53 targets into a 36-475-4 stat line. |
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David Njoku David Njoku In line for franchise tag
Mon, Mar 7, 2022, 11:11 AM
The Browns will use their franchise tag on Njoku, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Cleveland will make the transaction official before Tuesday's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline. Njoku thus appears on track to remain with the Browns for the 2022 campaign while carrying just under an $11 million salary, which gives both sides more time to negotiate a potential long-term deal. The 25-year-old tight end now has five seasons of NFL experience under his belt, and though he hasn't yet emerged as a consistent, high-end starter, Njoku did make improvements in 2021. Through 16 appearances last season, he secured 36 of 53 targets for 475 yards and four touchdowns. |
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