Author: admin

It really isn’t difficult to figure out the Browns 2025 quarterback situation. When the team starts training camp later this month, the picture will quickly become clearer. Right now, the Cleveland media is really upset they have to wait. Let’s clear some erroneous reporting (clickbait). I’ll start with the notion Browns GM Andrew Berry will decide the starter. His contract clearly states he will pick the 53-man roster and head coach Kevin Stefanski contract clearly states he picks who plays on gameday. It’s been this way since they were hired and with their contract extensions. The owner makes no decisions, nor does the Chief Strategy Officer, not with this front office. Has the owner meddled in the past (Johnny Manzel), yes. The Watson trade was a cooperate effort, they all agreed a better QB was needed prior to the 2022 season. Yes, Haslam said the final buck rests with him because he writes the checks for the bucks. End of story. If you still don’t believe me, then prove it with facts not hearsay, rumors or conspiracy theories. Don’t bring up Tony Grossi’s article about Paul Depodesta, because that story disappeared quicker than the 2024 offense.

Some members of the local media are further debasing themselves by telling the fans Kenny Pickett will start because Andrew Berry wants him to start. They’re basing their theory on a feeling. Honest to God that’s what one said this morning. Based on a feeling. I have a feeling if the Guardians were playing better or the Cavs had made it to the NBA Finals, he wouldn’t have that feeling. Just an observation. Of course, his circular logic is they traded for Pickett, so Berry wants him to be the starter. Let’s go back in time to when the trade was made. At that time the Browns had a quarterback room consisting of a very injured Deshaun Watson and DTR. Yikes. No one knew if Kirk Cousins would be available. Sam Darnold would require a big contract. Russell Wilson was not an option and thank God Aaron Rogers wasn’t an option. As for the NFL Draft, at that time the consensus among draft experts was this was a bad quarterback draft and that has yet to be determined. Berry protected the team by trading for a former first round draft pick and getting rid of a former fifth-round draft pick. If Pickett can start, then so be it, but that will be determined in training camp and be decided by the head coach and the offensive coordinator. The same goes for Joe Flacco.

As for the Watson playing in 2025 fixation by another local reporter. It’s not going to happen. He tore his Achillies tendon not once but twice. I don’t give a damn how well he feels, the only reason he’s still on the roster is so they can dump him when his contract won’t hurt the team’s spending power and that’ll be the second day of the league in 2027. He’ll be a post June 1 cut so the team can spread his remaining contract over 2027 and 2028. For 2025, he’ll be placed on the PUP list and then transferred to the injured reserve. What they do with him in 2026 hasn’t been reveled yet, but I bet it will be creative.

Here’s what’s going to happen in my opinion. Pickett will get number one reps to start camp. Flacco doesn’t really need the early reps, he knows the offense. Besides, if Pickett looks good early, there’s a better chance they could trade him. All I know is what I’ve been told, the team is putting a priority on being successful in 2025. They don’t want either rookie to start and right now aren’t planning on starting either one. The Browns will play the best player that puts the team in a position to win on the field. That will be determined in training camp. I do know it will either be Flacco or Pickett. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Browns news, besides one traffic violation, has been few and far between and that’s the way I like it. Let’s get to training camp without any more distractions. The only Browns news I hope we see is the announcement of some extensions. David Njoku and Martin Emerson would be nice as would a couple of contract restructures, Denzel Ward and Ethan Pocic come to mind. Browns GM Andrew Berry usually gets these deals done prior to or the start of training camp. If you didn’t know, training camp starts July 18th for the rookies and July 22nd for the veterans. Last week I guessed July 21, so I wasn’t too far off.

Speaking of the salary cap and contracts, according to Over The Cap the Browns are $18.146 million under the salary cap. The restructures of Ward and Pocic would give the team more cap space to move to next year. As for contracts, Nick Chubb’s deal with the Texans has finally surfaced. He has a base salary of $1.5 million, a signing bonus of $575,000 and a per game roster bonus of $425,000. The one-year deal has a value of $2.5 million and an additional $2.5 million available through incentives. His cap hit is $2.275 million. Basically, it’s a contract for a veteran backup running back. I doubt because of his age and injury history he’ll ever receive a multiyear deal again. That’s just the nature of the league.

The Browns roster is pretty much set for training camp. Over the next month, so called experts will suggest the Browns know who their starter at QB will be. Or suggest they know who will be cut or traded. Some are already suggesting the Browns will keep four quarterbacks on the final 53. I don’t see it. The way injuries happen in the NFL, why weaken another roster position either on the final 53 or the sixteen-man practice squad. If there are four quarterbacks, then the roster spot taken will more than likely be from another offensive position group and the way the offense played last year, that’s defiantly not a good idea. Let me just note, for those who don’t remember, last year on the final roster, Andrew Berry did have four quarterbacks, Deshaun Watson Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Tyler Huntley. Berry was hoping to trade Huntley, but it didn’t happen and cut him days later.

Hopefully I’ll have something to write about the Browns over the next month. Also, look for my articles and podcasts through The Fanatical Elfz Network (http://@ElfzNetwork) and Fans First Sports Network (http://@FFSN_NFL). Stay safe and GO Browns.

With the exception of some classwork this week, the off-season programs are over. It’s time for summer break. Hopefully no Browns player will be in the news, unless there’s a signing or a trade. After this week, rookies will be sent home with a playbook and instructions on how they can be ready for training camp. The date for training camp hasn’t been announced, but I think the CBA states it’s to start 47 days prior to the team’s first game. That would put it around July 21.

All the rookies have signed except running back Quinshon Judkins. He was the first player drafted in the second round, so other second-round players are waiting. The money is slotted but there’s always language and incentives that slow things down. I’m not going to worry about it until training camp. If he’s not signed by then, it’s a problem. In other news, the Browns finally signed an offensive tackle. Jackson Barton is a six-year pro who’s played about 160 snaps in the league the vast majority at right tackle. He has played a handful of games at left tackle, so he joins Dawand Jones & Cornelius Lucas as players who have played both positions. He’s competing for the fourth tackle spot.

It seems things aren’t going well in Pittsburg and especially Cincinnati. T J Watt wants the Steelers to pay him Myles Garrett money. He’s 30 years old and is already making $20 million a year. Maybe if he lined over someone else besides the right tackle, he could get Myles Garrett money. The Steelers don’t play games with players who want a new contract, so Watt is going to have to settle. Speaking of playing games with players, Things in Cincinnati are not going well. All pro Trey Hendrickson wants a new contract, and he desires one. He and the team have started to talk, so maybe it will get done. Meanwhile the Bengals first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart bolted from camp last week. As with Judkins, the money is slotted so there has to be a problem with the guarantees and language. I’ve heard the Bengals want the option to void the contract if Stewart has any off-field problems, which he did in college. And people think the Browns are dysfunctional.

According to Over The Cap, the Browns have $18.1 million in salary cap space and that’s an up-to-date figure. If there are going to be any contract extensions, they’ll happen in July. That’s what history tells us about Browns GM Andrew Berry. The roster is pretty much set. Many Browns fans want another wide receiver added and that still might happen, but the Browns want to see what they have in Diontae Johnson and Cedric Tillman. Stability at the quarterback position would really be helpful. Because of the slow news period of the next six weeks, I might not be doing a blog every week, but if anything happens, I’ll keep writing. You can also follow me at Fans First Sports Network (http://@FFSN_NFL) and The Fanatical Elfz Network (http://@ElfzNetwork) with my articles and my podcast. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Browns great Nick Chubb signed a free agent contract with the Houston Texans yesterday and thus ends the Nick Chubb era in Cleveland. It was inevitable he was gone after the drafting of Quinshon Judkins in the second round of the recent draft. If the Browns had drafted their first running back in the third round, then this might not have happened. The team talked to Chubb’s agents once a week and expressed a desire to have Chubb return. But his representatives decided to wait till after the draft. Chubb embodied what a Browns player was all about, a quiet workhorse. You can be sad he’s not a Brown but not signing him was a smart business move. Nick Chubb is no longer the back he was prior to the injury. Watching 2024 games, he relied on being a power back. The vision was there, but not the burst or the shiftiness. While he would occasionally have a five-to-ten-yard run, most of his carries would result in a loss or a one two-yard gain. He’s not the same running back and I doubt he’ll return to the franchise back he used to be.

Many Browns fans will make a big deal out of the contract he signed. The reported contact is what the agent wants you know. I’ll wait till Over The Cap has the true numbers, but I willing to bet his salary for 2025 is the veteran minimum of $1,170,000. I had heard if he signed with the Browns; it would have been a one-year deal with reachable incentives and future team options. This was his choice. What if he was signed by the Browns and he couldn’t beat out Dylan Sampson and Jerome Ford? Then the Browns would have to cut him. There are people still mad at Bill Belichick for cutting Bernie Kosar. I’m still mad at Art Modell for letting Jim Brown retire. The NFL is a business, and this was a business decision by Nick Chubb. Could the rookie running backs have benefitted from Chubb being on the team? Sure, but it also could’ve been a hindrance. They won’t have to constantly field Nick Chubb questions all through training camp.

Judkins can be the starting running back for the Browns and based what I saw of his play in college, both at Mississippi and Ohio State, he’ll be very good. Remember he scored three touchdowns in the National Championship game. Cleveland is returning to the wide zone offense that running backs thrive in and the team has improved the offensive line. Many fans are clamoring for Shedeur Sanders to start. The best way for a rookie quarterback to excel is a strong running attack, a veteran tight end and a veteran wide receiver.

A majority of fans will blame GM Andrew Berry, but that’s the job description of an NFL GM. Don’t take the credit when it’s due and listen to the blame from disgruntled fans. I’ve already seen the ridiculous logic on social media. This team needs young legs to carry the new rushing attack. Judkins and Sampson are those guys. As I’ve said, this maybe the most productive draft class Andrew Berry has ever drafted. I’ll miss seeing Nick Chubb in a Browns uniform, but his career in Cleveland essentially ended game two of the 2024 season. I wish him the best of luck, and I hope he can stay healthy. Stay safe and Go Browns.

As phase two of voluntary OTA’s restart today, there’s been some Browns news. By that I mean real news.

Salary Cap. As I’ve been saying, the Browns had about $8.9 million added to their cap because of the post June 1st cuts to Dalvin Tomlinson and Juan Thornhill. According to Over The Cap, the team now stands at $18.2 million under the cap. They could still create room by restructuring Denzel Ward and/or Ethan Pocic, but that probably won’t happen until July. Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo is still a candidate to be traded of released. DL Alex Wright is in the last year of his rookie contract at $3.4 million, so a decision must be made on him. And Greg Newsome and Martin Emerson are both in the last year of their contracts. No word on Nick Chubb. He either will sign with the Browns and accept being RB3 or wait until an injury to a running back in training camp, whether it be with the Browns or another team. The market for veteran running backs is way down this year. Finally, an extension for TE David Njoku is expected this summer.

Joel Bitonio. It was refreshing to hear a veteran Browns player expressing optimism for the plan on offense. He has faith the team will play the best quarterback in 2025 and not focus on developing young talent. He likes the new offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren and hinted the offense will be similar to the 2020 offense. If you recall that year head coach Kevin Stefanski let the offense loose, mainly because the Al Wood’s defense couldn’t hold a lead no matter how big. QB Baker Mayfield threw for four touchdowns in a half twice, the first half of the Titan’s game and the second half of the second Bengals game. That year Mayfield threw for 3563 yards, 28 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 95.9 QBR. I’m all for the 2020 offense.

Pro Football Focus. They rated all 32 NFL rosters, and the Browns came in last. I’m a fan of PFF, but this is ridiculous. Their reasoning was because of the offense. Yes, we all know it was terrible in 2024, but last, really? They ignore the fact the Browns signed two offensive linemen who were high in their ratings, OT Cornelius Lucas and OL Teven Jenkins. The Browns drafted two great running backs and one hell of a tight end. Yes, the quarterback needs to be ironed out, but the odds favor the Browns finding a player who can help them win.

Myles Garrett. Shock of shocks, Garrett wasn’t at the voluntary OTA’s. He’s not a team leader. Blah, blah blah. Garrett is a team leader like Flacco is a mentor. The Browns usually have four defensive ends on their final 53-man roster. Currently there are two locks, Garrett and Isaiah McGuire. Contenders for the other two spots are Okoronkwo, Julian Okwara and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. Tryon-Shoyinka has looked very good in OTA’s. Others include UDFA Adin Huntington, Cameron Thomas and Jim Schwartz favorite Sam Kamara. The last three are practice squad candidates but keep an eye on Huntington. Basically, the Browns need to figure out the last two spots and the best way to do that is to give the players as many snaps in OTA’s as possible. Garrett doesn’t need to be there until he’s supposed to be there. I’m not worried and either should you. He’ll be there when it matters, and all his teammates know that. Stay safe and Go Browns.

The Browns off-season program begins again today, so be prepared for video on social media. Also be prepared for the continued argument on who’s having a better camp, Dillion Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders. I think I’ll start an argument on who’s better, Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett to see if anyone notices. To me, I really don’t care which one does better, just find a quarterback who can win games and get the Browns to the playoffs. In 2023, the Browns won because they had four quarterbacks who could play in Kevin Stefanski’s offense. In 2024 they had zero quarterbacks who could play in any system. The team scrapped their entire offense for one signal caller thinking he could revive his franchise QB career. It didn’t work. It failed miserably. I understand why they did it. The last game Deshaun Watson played in 2023 was one hell of a game. The Browns trailed most of the game by at least fourteen points on the road against the Ravens. In the second half the team went on three long scoring drives including the game winning field goal with no time left on the clock. Hell, they even missed an extra point, which usually is a kiss of death for the Browns and still won the game.

Like I said, I understand the change in offense. Did I agree with it? I was more wait and see. By the time 2024 was over, I no longer wanted to look. Now the team enters 2025 with a true quarterback competition. In Flacco, the team knows what it has, a veteran who can work in Stefanski’s offense. The question is was 2023 a fluke? The ball bounced the Browns way that year. From opponents missing game winning field goals to back-to-back pass interference calls in the end-zone leading to a fourth & goal game winning rushing touchdown. 2023 was magical, but it ended with a thud in the playoffs. The Browns traded for Kenny Pickett, so they see something there. He used his senior season at Pittsburg to parlay that into a first round pick by the Steelers. He was 15-10 as a starter in an offense that was almost nonexistent. Before Pickett the offense was whatever Big Ben dreamed up. In college Pickett ran basically the same offense as the Browns will run in 2025. Again, I’m in wait and see mode.

If the Browns can find their future quarterback between Gabriel or Sanders that would be the perfect situation. A few things to remember, in all the off-season programs, the pace will be quicker. The team is trying to get in as many reps prior to the summer months to get both rookies used to the speed of the NFL. Who takes the first snaps, or which two quarterbacks are working in tandem doesn’t matter. It’s all about getting in as many snaps in as possible. Second, I know a lot of fans are already planning trading Pickett to the Saints for a certain wide receiver. I’ve been told the Saints aren’t interested. Besides, the Browns want to wait and see what they have in Pickett. Finally, no one knows who the starting QB will be game one. It’s way too early for that speculation. All I know is, the Browns will keep three quarterbacks on their final 53-man roster and none of the four they have in camp right now will make it to the practice squad. This year’s training camp is going to be a true competition. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Currently the rookies and the veterans are in Berea working out. There’s no media access, which is good. According to those, who are reliable, both rookie quarterbacks have done well. Let’s not say one is better than the other at this point in the game. With the schedule release last week, people are trying to speculate when one of the rookies will start. I would prefer game one in 2026. If that happens, the Browns will probably have had a good season in 2025. Imagine finding your starting quarterback in the fourth or fifth round. Then add to that, a starting running back duo who are on rookie contracts for four years. By the way, for those of you who think the Browns are tanking this year, I’ve been told that’s not the feeling in the building. Yes, as of right now, the schedule is the second hardest in the league, but that’s as of right now, in May. I’ll wait till the league gets in the doldrums of training camp to decide. Remember last year they had the second easiest schedule. Things always change.

The new stadium in Brook Park is going to happen no matter how stupid the local politicians behave. The Haslam Sports Group will get the funding from the state for infrastructure and by 2029 the Browns will be playing in “Jimmy world.” They’ll have shovels in the ground by next month. The local politicians haven’t done anything to improve the lakefront for thirty years, why do you think they’ll start now. They all should be replaced for incompetence.

I’m still waiting to see the contracts of the two new safeties. The Browns, according to Over The Cap, are $17.6 million under the cap. Both Damontae Kazee and Rayshawn Jenkins should both receive one-year contracts for the veteran minimum of $1,255,000. The team will have about $10 million added back to their cap space after June 1 because of Dalvin Tomlinson and Juan Thornhill. If more cap space is needed, the Browns can restructure Denzel Ward and Ethan Pocic. Remember a restructure is not a pay cut. Also, only the top 51 salaries count against the cap.

Back to the QB discussion, it’s my opinion that Kenny Pickett will probably start training camp as number one. They traded for him, so that’s what I’m basing it on. All four have been told it’s a true competition and nothing will be assumed. This team needs to focus on winning, not quarterback development. If the coaching staff feels one of the rookies can win right out of the gate, then they’ll start. Winning is the goal in 2025. Stay safe and Go Browns.

Now that the NFL draft is over, the Browns still need to address the wide receiver and safety positions in free agency. Here’s link to an article I wrote with my suggestions, https://www.ffsn.com/the-fanatical-elfz-network/cleveland-browns-remaining-team-needs-in-free-agency/. The safety position is more urgent in my opinion. There are still plenty of players available.

Today the Browns made the signing of wide receiver Diontae Johnson official. He’s been a problem for his last two teams, but he can still get separation and run very precise routes. It’s a low price, potentially high reward signing. If it doesn’t work, the Browns will just cut him. That’s why I think the Browns should still add a veteran wide receiver. The team could also try and trade for a WR. Some potential candidates are Alec Pierce, Colts, Courtland Sutton, Broncos, Christian Watson, Packers and Noah Brown, Commanders.

The Browns have the draft capital to trade. They currently have two firsts, one second, one third, one fourth, one fifth, one sixth and two sevenths for 2026. Nine total so a trade wouldn’t be out of the question. The Browns roster is at 81 out of 90 players, so there’s room.

According to Over The Cap https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/cleveland-browns Cleveland is currently $16.6 million under the salary cap of $279,200,000. On June 2, the team will have about $10 million added back for the designated post-June 1 cuts of Juan Thornhill and Dalvin Tomlinson. So they’re sitting very well salary cap wise. I still wouldn’t be surprised if they restructure the contracts of Denzel Ward and Ethan Pocic. Browns GM Andrew Berry loves to carryforward any unused cap money to next year. That’s one of the reasons the Browns can sustain their roster, by using all the rules of the current CBA.

On Friday May 9, the Browns rookies will report to Berea to begin rookie minicamp. On May 12, they start the Rookie Development Program. OTAs are scheduled for May 27-28, and May30, June 3-4 and June 6 and June 16-19. The media crush on Friday is going to be unbelievable. Everyone will want to see Shedeur Sanders. This is going to be one crazy off-season. Stay safe and Go Browns.

The Cleveland Browns 2025 draft is complete and now everyone thinks it’s necessary to slap a grade on it. I’ll wait till the current draft class actually plays. I’m a stickler about that. All in all, the Browns drafted very good players. The players drafted with the first four picks will play and contribute to the Browns 2025 season, barring injury. Of the last three picks one will definitely play and the other two will make the roster with the potential to play. Cleveland got value at every pick especially the last one. No one and I mean no one saw that coming. I’ve let it be know I wasn’t a fan of Shedeur Sanders, but that was at pick number two, number 33, number 36 and number 67. I would’ve been fine with picking him at number 94, but I understand the reasoning for taking Gabriel. Of course, many Browns fans flew off the handle because of it. Total meltdowns ensued all Friday night and Saturday morning. To be honest with you, I kind of enjoyed it. The media convinced the fan base they knew more then 32 NFL teams.

All these young men are of good character, and all will bring a higher level of talent to their positions. The knock on Sanders was he didn’t interview well. So what. The NFL is a good old boy network. I’m glad Andrew Berry saw the value of the pick. Let’s set one thing straight, Owner Jimmy Haslam had no control over the Sander’s pick. This was Andrew Berry’s pick. Don’t believe the crap that’s being so called reported. Haslam let the front office do their jobs. One last thing on the subject, Paul DePodesta provides analysis not opinions. He has no say on what happens with the Browns personnel. I blame that false reporting on Tony Grossi. He started it and never apologized for the hit job article he put out. If you want to listen to Grossi, just remember he wanted Sam Bradford over Myles Garrett and Sam Darnold over Baker Mayfield. Plus, he still can’t see the value of drafting Sanders in the fifth round. Go yell at some clouds Tony.

Next up we’ll finally get a true list of the undrafted rookie free agents the Browns have signed. Looking at the current information, I like three so far. Defensive tackle Adin Huntington, Tulane, offensive guard Dartanyan Tinsley, Cincinnati and my favorite safety Donovan McMillon, Pitt. All three could have been drafted. Next up is rookie camp, which starts May 9. After that, the next big date on the calendar is the NFL schedule release, which is May 14. I can’t wait to see who’s the Browns opening game opponent. I have the feeling the selection of Shedeur Sander will have some influence. Remember, when it comes to the NFL, it’s all about the money. Stay safe and Go Browns.

It’s finally here Browns fans, the NFL draft. I guess because the team hasn’t had a first round pick in the last three years, it seemed like this week would never get here. But it’s here at last. These last three days will be filled with probably the dumbest Cleveland takes you’ll read. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk started us off yesterday with a rumor that some team will trade up to number two to pick QB Shedeur Sanders. In the article, Florio dismisses the rumor as “nutty” and says, “he’ll believe it when he sees it.” This way if it happens (and it won’t) he can say he had it first and if it doesn’t happen (it won’t) he can say he knew it was silly. That didn’t prevent ESPN Cleveland from reposting the story and asking for opinions thus providing more ad revenue for their twitter account.

By Thursday, you’ll see plenty of articles on social media proclaiming they know what the Browns are going to do with the number two pick. Or how the Browns are planning to trade back from number two. Or the team’s plans to trade back into the first round to get their quarterback. All this information will come from league sources or inside sources or team sources inside Berea. None of this is true. This front office does not leak, ever. As I always say, “the voices inside your head are nor reliable sources.” At this point the Cleveland front office has their draft board set and it’s probably been set since the Combine. Do they know for sure who they’re going to select? Nope. It’s pretty much a guarantee the Titans are going to take QB Cam Ward. They overpaid to strengthen the offensive line, and they were never connected to any of the free agent quarterbacks wandering the league landscape. Last year the Tennessee head coach Brian Callahan threw Titans starting QB Will Levin under the bus so many times, he still has tire marks on his butt.

In my opinion, after the Titans draft Ward, the Browns will have their choice of wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter or defensive end Abdul Carter. They’ll take as much of the clock necessary to listen to trade offers, they started to formulate at the Combine. But in the end, these two players are the best in the draft. One can change the direction of an NFL offense (no, Hunter will not play both ways) and the other can change the direction of an NFL defense. I’ve let it be known I’m for the Browns drafting Carter, but ether player will be fine by me. Both are great value at number two.

As for the rest of the first round, the media is pimping the notion the Browns will have to trade back into the first round to get their quarterback of the future. Not really. The only teams who might be interested in drafting a quarterback in the first round are New Orleans and Pittsburg. According to national reporter Benjamin Allbright, the Saints aren’t picking a QB at nine and there are reports out of Pittsburg that the Steelers won’t be taking a QB at 21 unless it’s Sanders. The Browns can afford to wait till the first pick in the second round to pick their QB of the future. Why waste draft capital when you don’t need to. Besides, this front office (Andrew Berry) in the last five years have shown no inclination to trade back into the first round. Have they asked other teams about it, sure. Have they asked the Titans about trading to number one even though it’s never happened in the history of the NFL draft, sure. It’s called due diligence. Could the Browns pass on a quarterback with the number 33 pick, sure. What happens on day two is determined by what happens on day one. So buckle up Browns fans, it’s going to be a long three days. Stay safe and Go Browns.