Cleveland Browns news (3/7): Free agency looms on the horizon
· Yahoo Sports
It was a productive week for the Cleveland Browns, one that helped to set the stage for the opening of free agency on Monday.
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General manager Andrew Berry broke out the scaffolding and toolbox as he began the rebuilding of the offensive line by trading for veteran offensive tackle Tytus Howard. Berry also tendered six of the team’s seven exclusive rights free agents.
While it falls into the category of “as expected,” the latest restructuring of quarterback Deshaun Watson’s burdensome contract should be the final time that Berry must open that particular file. One more season of Watson on the roster, and the Browns can finally close that book on that disappointing chapter in franchise history.
That accounting move gives Berry around $20 million in available cap space, and he may find a few more dollars before Monday by restructuring cornerback Denzel Ward’s contract.
Even though the Browns may not be extremely active in the opening hours of free agency, there are still holes on the roster that need to be patched over, so every dollar at his disposal is an important dollar.
That is next week’s problem, so let’s start the weekend with the latest edition of the Saturday Dawg Chow.
Dawgs By Nature- Browns free agency: Geno Smith fits if Shedeur, Deshaun are not Todd Monken’s choice (Jared Mueller) -Cleveland Browns Todd Monken might be sold on Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, but if not, Geno Smith fits in NFL free agency.
- Browns restructure Deshaun Watson’s contract again, add a lot of salary cap space (Jared Mueller) – The Cleveland Browns have even more salary cap space as Deshaun Watson’s contract is once again restructured.
- Browns Free Agency: S Jalen Thompson could step up in new defense (Barry Shuck) – If Ronnie Hickman departs, the Cleveland Browns could pursue Jalen Thompson in NFL free agency.
- Browns roster plan: WR via trade, NFL draft, or both? (Curtiss Brown) – The Cleveland Browns roster needs a lot of things, including at WR. Should the NFL draft or a big trade fill that need?
- Who could Browns look at in free agency? Here are 5 possible targets (Beacon Journal) – The first step of the Browns’ offseason roster adjustment gets started next week with the opening of the free agent market. Here’s a look at five potential targets.
- Browns restructuring Deshaun Watson’s contract to reduce his $81M cap charge, freeing up $36M of space (cleveland.com) – For what could be the last time, the Browns are restructuring Deshaun Watson’s enormous contract today to clear cap space heading into free agency and the trade market next week.
- Byron Storer talks family bus business, return to coaching, influence of Rich Bisaccia (Browns Zone) – Byron Storer left coaching for four years to join the family business. He had given up X’s and O’s but discovered a strong similarity in the professions.
- 3 recent predictions for the Browns’ first-round picks (clevelandbrowns.com) – With the conclusion of the NFL Scouting Combine and free agency right around the corner, the offseason continues along. Let’s take a look at recent mock drafts by draft experts and analysts to see who they believe could be options for the Browns with the sixth and 24th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
- Texans release running back Joe Mixon, who missed 2025 with a mysterious foot injury (Houston Chronicle) – The Houston Texans released running back Joe Mixon, ending his two-year stint with the team after an undisclosed foot injury derailed his 2025 season.
- Taylor Decker requests release from Detroit Lions after contract talks fail (mlive.com) – About a week after saying he would return to the Detroit Lions for his 11th season, veteran left tackle Taylor Decker has changed his mind.
- Vikings center Ryan Kelly announces his retirement after three concussions in 2025 (Minnesota Star Tribune) – Ryan Kelly, a 32-year-old father of three children, considered walking away in the middle of last season due to concussions.