Thompson-Robinson finished the game with 157 yards and two interceptions. He was sacked five times and finished with a QB rating of 45.8. His inexperience was on display during the game, with Thompson-Robinson often escaping the pocket too early, creating issues for the offensive line and errant throws.

The goal with the move to Thompson-Robinson was to eliminate turnovers, which became too commonplace with Jameis Winston under center. Winston provided some exciting plays downfield but tossed 12 interceptions in seven starts.

Despite the lackluster outing against the Bengals, the Browns will continue rolling with Thompson-Robinson as their starting quarterback.

“If he’s healthy, and he should be,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said of Thompson-Robinson starting against the Miami Dolphins.

Winston is dealing with a shoulder injury, and Bailey Zappe served as Thompson-Robinson’s backup against the Bengals. Stefanski said he never thought about benching DTR.

Browns Accused of Tanking by Starting Dorian Thompson-Robinson

The decision to start Thompson-Robinson didn’t sit well with fans, with some feeling the team has decided to tank for a better draft pick.

“Stefanski just said DTR will start next week vs the Dolphins. I DECLARE…. TANKINNNNNNNNG!” one fan said. “This is not a serious football team.”

Another added: “The Browns were never trying to see what DTR gives them. They already knew. They’re tanking to move up higher in the draft. Pay zero attention to anything else they have to say. They have no credibility whatsoever and they think we’re all stupid and it pisses me off.”

It’s safe to say that Thompson-Robinson is not the answer at quarterback moving forward. The Browns have gone 1-3 in games he’s started over the last two seasons, passing for just one touchdown and 12 interceptions.

“We can all agree that DTR can just get cut after the season right?” another fan said.

Jameis Winston Gave Dorian Thompson-Robinson Tough Love During Loss

Winston was hurt after being benched but has still provided leadership despite not being the starter. Thompson-Robinson said that Winston provided some tough love during the loss.

“I encourage other guys to get in my ear and I actually told him, ‘I need you to tell me what I’m doing bad. Even if I’m not doing something bad, get on me,’” he said. “I don’t like being complimented. I don’t like being told what I did good. I need to know what I did bad. The good’s going to come.

“And so that’s exactly what he did. He got on my butt a little bit at halftime and we came out firing.”

Thompson-Robinson is facing a critical opportunity to prove he belongs in the NFL. With Deshaun Watson recovering from an Achilles rupture, the Browns’ quarterback situation is anything but settled. For Thompson-Robinson, it’s about more than just stepping in — he needs to demonstrate he can handle the pressure, make plays, and earn his spot on the roster for the long term.

“It’s not going to hurt no more than this,” Thompson-Robinson said. “So at this point it can only get better and we’re going to, like I say, get back to the drawing board (Monday) and try and correct all the correctable stuff.”

The Browns are a 6.5-point underdog against the Dolphins.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns Face Backlash for Dorian Thompson-Robinson Decision appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Garrett publicly criticized the Browns during his media availability on Dec. 20, expressing his frustration with Cleveland’s current record of 3-11.

“I’m not trying to rebuild. I’m trying to win right now,” said Garrett, who turns 29 next weekend. “I want that to be apparent when the season’s over and we have those discussions. I want them to be able to illuminate that for me, illustrate that for me, so that can be something I can see in the near future. ’Cause that’s all we want to do. I want to stay loyal to a team that shows loyalty to me and faith in me by drafting me. But we have to do, at the end of the day, what’s best for us.”

Garrett might be part of the solution to the Browns’ quarterback problems—but not in the way fans might hope. Jason Lloyd of The Athletic speculates that Garrett could be used as a trade chip to address the team’s issues under center.

Browns Star Myles Garrett Could Fetch Multiple Picks

The Cleveland Browns are stuck in a quarterback quandary, and there’s no easy way out. Deshaun Watson’s $230 million fully guaranteed contract has become an albatross. So far, Watson has failed to prove he can even reach the level of an average starting quarterback. The financial fallout is staggering, with a cap hit of $73 million looming for each of the next two seasons.

Kirk Cousins has been floated as a veteran option, or the Browns could look to the draft, depending on where they pick. But Lloyd doesn’t see a solution in this year’s crop of quarterbacks, instead looking to the 2026 class, which will feature Arch Manning. Lloyd said that the Manning family has been held in high esteem by Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and would salivate over the idea of landing Arch.

The plan to land Arch is where Garrett comes in, per Lloyd.

“How exactly do the Browns get to Arch Manning? By ignoring the quarterback position this offseason and filling their other needs, of which there are many. Tank for a year and start to wade through a chunk of the $170 million still owed Watson on their future cap sheets,” Lloyd said. “Garrett is the only player on the roster who could fetch multiple first-round picks, which the Browns could use as currency in 2026 to move up and nab Manning or (Nico) Iamaleava.

“For as incredible of a talent as Garrett is, the one thing he is not is a quarterback. But he could provide the currency necessary for the Browns to take their next big swing.”

Trading Myles Garrett is Massive Risk for Browns

Few players in Browns’ history have had the transformative impact of Myles Garrett. A future Hall of Fame induction seems almost inevitable for the defensive powerhouse, who has already amassed an impressive 99.5 sacks in just 114 games. As the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and a perennial All-Pro, Garrett continues to solidify his legacy as one of the all-time greats.

But, as Lloyd points out, a pass-rusher can only do so much to impact the game. If the Browns don’t remedy their quarterback situation with a creative solution, competing for a spot in the postseason — or the Super Bowl — is unlikely.

For now, Garrett is a key member of the Browns and is slated to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday despite dealing with a few nagging injuries. He’s eager to hand the Bengals a loss that could end their playoff pursuit.

“Misery loves company. So, it would feel pretty good,” Garrett said.

Cleveland is a 9.5-point underdog for the matchup, per ESPN BET.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns Predicted to Trade Myles Garrett to Land Star QB After Outburst appeared first on Heavy Sports.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently authored a deep dive into the Browns’ horrendous quarterback situation to hash out who might be the team’s starter come Week 1 of 2025. He ultimately landed on a current collegiate player yet to be named that Cleveland will select in next year’s NFL draft.

During the in-depth examination, Barnwell predicted the team will part ways with three recent starters at premium positions come March — running back Nick Chubb (four-time Pro Bowler and Second-Team All-Pro in 2022), offensive tackle Jack Conklin (two-time First-Team All-Pro in 2016, 2020) and offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (first-round pick in 2020).

“The Browns will roll over plenty of cap space into 2025, but they’re going to be paying [Deshaun] Watson $46 million each of the next two years,” Barnwell wrote December 9. “They have contributors to pay on defense and need to rebuild their offense, where they’ll likely be replacing starting tackles Jack Conklin and … Jedrick Wills Jr. and veteran running back Nick Chubb.”

The figure Barnwell cited is the real amount Cleveland owes Watson, though his cap hits are going to be worse ($72.9 million each of the next two seasons) due to multiple contract restructures.

Nick Chubb, Browns Nearing Natural End to Partnership

GettyCleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb.

Chubb was arguably the league’s best running back between 2019-22, rushing for an average of 1,336 yards and 10 TDs across each of those seasons, despite missing seven games over that stretch.

The Browns paid him like one of the best, too. Chubb inked a deal worth $36 million in July 2021. However, he has suffered season-ending injuries in back-to-back campaigns — a blown out knee in 2023 and a broken foot last weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs — and will turn 30 years old late next season.

Chubb already took a big pay cut in the final year of his contract to remain with the Browns, but after another big injury it simply doesn’t make sense for either side to continue the relationship beyond this year.

Jack Conklin Battled Injury, Jedrick Wills Proved Bust

GettyCleveland Browns right tackle Jack Conklin.

Conklin’s situation is similar to that of Chubb: he’s been good for the Browns when healthy, but that hasn’t been often in recent years.

The lineman earned All-Pro honors for the second time in his career during his first season in Cleveland, but injury has plagued him since. Conklin has missed 10 games, three games, 16 games and eight games in the past four years, respectively — played fewer contests (32) than he has sat out (36), according to Pro Football Reference.

Conklin has two years remaining on his current deal, which include base salaries of $14 million and cap hits of $19.5 million each season. Cleveland struggled mightily in pass protection this year and simply can’t afford to pay the 30-year-old that kind of money to continue sitting out.

On the other side of the offensive line, Wills has turned into a bonafide bust over his five years with the franchise. He has appeared in just 13 of the team’s 31 games since the start of the 2023 season due to injury and poor play, and has been among the worst tackles in the NFL when he’s been on the field over that span.

The Browns had little choice but to keep him around in 2024, but there is almost no chance he’s back in Cleveland next year after making more than $34 million over the life of his rookie contract.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns Predicted to Part Ways With 2 All-Pros in Cost-Cutting Move appeared first on Heavy Sports.

The Browns are locked into Watson’s contract for the next two seasons. Watson has cap charges of $73 million each of the next two years, plus nearly $27 million in 2027. Parting with Watson would trigger a $119 million cap charge in 2025.

While Watson is contractually linked to the Browns, his future as the starter in Cleveland is unclear. He won’t be gifted the starting quarterback role when he returns from a season-ending Achilles injury, but Cleveland also doesn’t have a plan for moving forward yet.

Garrett bluntly assessed the situation, saying the players don’t know the direction either.

“As uncertain as it is from the outside looking in, it’s uncertain for us as well,” Garrett said on Friday. “So, if DTR (Dorian Thompson-Robinson) is the solution or someone else, it’s got to be drawn out. There’s got to be a plan of action and just got to know where things are going.”

Thompson-Robinson will draw the start this week, taking over for Jameis Winston, who had started seven games with Watson sidelined.

Browns Star Myles Garrett Not Interested in Rebuild

Garrett has expressed that he wants to remain with the Browns. However, that may change if Cleveland plans to go into a rebuild.

“Well, for me, I mean, first of all, I want to win and I want the Browns to be able to put me and us in position to win. And I’m not trying to rebuild,” Garrett said. “I’m trying to win right now. I want that to be apparent when the season’s over and we have those discussions. I want them to be able to illuminate that for me, illustrate that for me, so that can be something I can see in the near future. Cause that’s all we want to do.”

Garrett is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and will be in the mix again this season. At 28 years old, he’s in his prime and has no time to waste. He signed a five-year, $125-million contract extension in 2020. It runs through the 2026 season.

Garrett has 99.5 career sacks and has posted double-digit sacks for seven straight seasons.

Myles Garrett Wants to Stay Loyal to Browns

Garrett is putting pressure on the front office, but he’s not ready to demand a trade. He prefers to remain with the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2017.

“I want to stay loyal to a team that shows loyalty to me and faith in me by drafting me. But we have to do, at the end of the day, what’s best for us,” Garrett said. “So, if we have that alignment where this is something that is still possible in the near future, winning, going deep in the playoffs, putting a great defense out there, time of possession, running game, offense, getting all the guys back. And I think that would really keep my mind at rest, keep me settled.”

The Browns enter their Week 16 matchup with a 3-11 and much closer to a top draft pick than a playoff berth. Cleveland has made the postseason just twice during Garrett’s career.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Myles Garrett Sends Message to Browns Front Office on Deshaun Watson appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Garrett missed practice on Thursday with a back injury. His status is unclear for Sunday’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. At 3-11, the Browns have been eliminated from postseason contention. However, Cleveland is eager to hand the Bengals a blow that could potentially end their playoff pursuit.

“Obviously our season over, so we tryna bring them with us,” Browns safety Grant Delpit said.

It will be a much taller task without Garrett on the field. He’s one of the most impactful defensive players in the league, notching 10.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss this season. No other Browns player currently on the roster has more than three sacks.

Garrett is also on the verge of 100 sacks — a significant milestone for his already decorated career in Cleveland. He’s sitting at 99.5 career sacks.

Browns Star Myles Garrett Doesn’t Want to Shut it Down

Garrett has been banged up this season. He dealt with a foot injury for the first part of the season and also took a nasty eye-poke last week against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Despite the Browns’ season going south, Garrett has not sounded like someone with plans to shut it down.

“I play this game to be the very best there is, and I expect everyone else to play because they love it. Play because they want to be remembered for something,” Garrett said after a recent loss. “There will be film, people will speak about you. And you’ll have to know that your effort and what you put on tape is going to decide what’s gonna happen for your career, and for years to come.”

The Browns are thin at defensive end. The team traded away Za’Darius Smith to the Detroit Lions and backup Alex Wright is out for the year.

Myles Garrett Says Browns Need to be on ‘Same Page’

The Browns’ season has been a failure, but Garrett is still confident in head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry. However, the star pass-rusher didn’t shy away from mentioning that not everyone is on the same page.

“We got those guys right there leading the charge organizationally. Them being here, wanting to pick up the right pieces and play will give me confidence,” Garrett said on December 13. “As long has that’s how it’s looking how it is, I want to be here, and I’ll be happy to play for Cleveland. We all got to be heading in the right direction, and we all got to be on the same page. And until then, I’ll be here playing for the team that drafted me.”

Part of that comment from Garrett could stem from the Browns’ quarterback situation, which has and will continue to be a disaster. Deshaun Watson hasn’t looked like a capable starter when healthy and is out for the year following a ruptured Achilles. Watson’s $230 million, fully guaranteed deal has significantly impacted how the Browns can build their roster.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns Get Bad News on Myles Garrett Amid 100-Sack Pursuit appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Chubb suffered a broken foot last weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs that officially ended his season and could mark the last time he plays a snap in a Browns uniform. The seven-year veteran is in the last year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent in March if the two sides don’t agree to an extension before then.

Operating under the educated assumption that Chubb will be elsewhere in 2025, Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic predicted in his latest mock draft on Wednesday, December 18, that the Browns will select star running back Asthon Jeanty out of Boise State in the first round of April’s NFL draft. If the league held the draft today, Cleveland would pick No. 7 overall.

“Nick Chubb’s foot injury won’t require surgery, Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said, but the injury is just another in a lengthy line of health setbacks for the Browns’ star back,” Baumgardner wrote. ” Jeanty is the rare type of back — not unlike Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs — who can provide three-down value in multiple situations.”

Jeanty finished his team’s 13-game regular season with 2,497 rushing yards and 29 rushing TDs, which earned him second-place honors in the Heisman Trophy voting last weekend.

Browns Probably Don’t Make Sense for Nick Chubb Beyond Season, Vice Versa

GettyBoise State running back Ashton Jeanty.

Chubb’s most recent serious injury follows a blown out knee he suffered in Week 2 of the 2023 campaign. That issue required two surgeries to fix and kept the four-time Pro Bowler sidelined for more than 13 months before he made his next regular season appearance.

Cleveland asked Chubb to give back most of the guaranteed money on the final year of his contract in 2024 and convert it to bonus options in the form of incentives. Because he missed almost the entirety of the first half of the season due to rehabilitation and is now out again because of the broken foot, Chubb will leave most of that forfeited cash on the table.

There is a chance he could come back to the Browns next year, though the running back would likely have to agree to a small, one-year deal to do so. Chubb won’t get much better anywhere else in the league, but 2025 is going to be about rebuilding his value, and there are probably going to be better roster/salary cap situations outside of Cleveland in which he can do that.

Browns Will Look QB in NFL Draft, Perhaps Not During First Round

GettyQuarterback Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns.

Jerome Ford will step in for Chubb as the starter for the remainder of this season, and presumably next year as well in what will be the final campaign of his rookie contract.

That could change if the team drafts Jeanty or another quality back. In any case, Ford could also be on his way out of Cleveland a little over a year from now depending on what his market is in free agency and what the rest of the Browns’ position group looks like following the 2025 season.

Cleveland is also a candidate to draft a quarterback in April, as Deshaun Watson appears finished. His contract, however, will linger for several years and will have a huge impact in each of the next two seasons for sure — whether he plays at all or not.

As such, it makes sense for the Browns to try and find talent at value on a rookie contract under center, as there aren’t many other ways for them to compete. But this year’s draft class is weak at QB, which may lead to the franchise trying to solve that problem sometime on Day 2 of the draft.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns Predicted to Replace Nick Chubb With Gifted 29-TD Running Back appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Jeudy had been rumored as a Jets trade target this offseason, prior to landing with the Browns. It was previously reported that owner Woody Johnson vetoed the trade. But now, more has come to light on Johnson’s thinking behind that decision.

“Douglas told the Broncos that Johnson didn’t want to make the trade because the owner felt Jeudy’s player rating in Madden NFL, the popular video game, wasn’t high enough, according to multiple league sources,” The Athletic reported.

The article detailed the Jets’ dysfunction and Johnson being at the root of many of the team’s issues. But Jeudy wasn’t buying the report.

“I don’t believe that. I think it’s fake news for real,” Jeudy said. “Why would someone look at Madden? Be real. I don’t think that’s real, but it’s funny.”

Jeudy had previously responded to the news that Johnson had vetoed a trade for him this offseason.

“Nah I did lol,” Jeudy said shortly after the news broke. He later added a crying emoji.

Jerry Jeudy Having Career Year With Browns

The Browns ended up getting a steal in their trade for Jeudy, who has blossomed into a No. 1 wide receiver in Cleveland. Jeudy has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career and is the fifth-leading receiver in the NFL. He’s behind only big names like CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Despite a questionable quarterback situation in Cleveland, Jeudy has caught 70 passes for 1,052 yards and four touchdowns.

“He continues to make plays in a variety of ways. He shows the ability to line up everywhere in the formation, which I think, like we’ve spoken about before, speaks to his intelligence,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “And he’s somebody that we’ll continue to utilize because he’s made a lot of plays with the ball in his hands.”

Jeudy will be a key part of the Browns’ future. After the trade, he inked a three-year extension that will pay him up to $58 million. Of that money, $41 million is fully guaranteed. It was a risk at the time but is proving to be a big steal.

Jerry Jeudy Will Be Catching Passes From New Browns QB

Jeudy will try to keep up his hot streak with a new quarterback under center for the Browns. The team is making the shift from Jameis Winston — who replaced the injured Deshaun Watson — to Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

“I expect him to go out there and do an amazing job,” Winston said, reacting to the benching. “He’s a great player, young guy, he’s curious and he’s excited for this opportunity to go out there and lead this team.”

For Thompson-Robinson, it’s a chance to prove he belongs as a potential starting quarterback.

“Best believe we’re trying to take full advantage of it, too,” Thompson-Robinson said. “We’re going to go out there and we’re going to try to win these games.”

The Browns are a 9.5-point underdog against the Bengals, per ESPN BET.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns WR Jerry Jeudy Claps Back Over Outrageous Trade Rumor appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons in the offseason, but the veteran quarterback has struggled to find his footing. With a playoff berth still within reach, Atlanta has made the bold decision to hand the reins to rookie Michael Penix Jr. as their new starting quarterback.

“After review we have made the decision Michael Penix will be the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback moving forward,” head coach Raheem Morris said in the statement this week. “This was a football decision and we are fully focused on preparing the team for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.”

There’s some uncertainty about how Cousins’ situation will play out. The Falcons could trade Cousins, but his no-trade clause could force Atlanta to release him. There’s also a chance that Penix doesn’t step up, and the Falcons could decide to hang on to the veteran passer.

Insider: Kirk Cousins ‘On List’ of QB Candidates for Browns

If Cousins becomes available, the Browns should be in the mix for his services as they look for an affordable solution to their mess with Watson. If released, Cousins could likely be had for a veteran minimum contract. The key will be convincing Cousins to come to Cleveland.

“I’m very intrigued because of the Kirk Cousins-Kevin Stefanski alliance,” Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com said, referencing their time together in Minnesota. “The other thing, though — Kirk Cousins would have to want to come here. That’s the key to the whole thing. He probably does fall into the category of quarterbacks the Browns will look at as possible options for 2025. As of right now, I would put him on the list.”

And Cabot is not the only prominent name mentioning Cousins as an option for the Browns.

“That’s a lot of variables to making a Cousins union happen for the Browns. But it’s a worthy pursuit at this stage,” Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports said. “Especially if you believe his five-game implosion isn’t a permanent step off a talent cliff. One way or another, Cleveland has to find a way through the remaining years on Watson’s deal. And unless there’s a rookie that the Browns love in the upcoming draft, getting past the 2025 season with a minimum-salary Cousins is the best way to do it while still being competitive on the field.”

Kirk Cousins Confident He Can Still Be Starting QB

There are concerns about Cousins’ recent stretch of play. While he’s had his moments — including a 509-yard passing game in October — he’s mostly struggled. Over his last five games, Cousins threw for just one touchdown and nine interceptions.

Despite the rough patch, Cousins maintains he can still be a viable starting quarterback.

“I didn’t forget how to play quarterback,” Cousins said. “Certainly, the turnovers were not what you want, but I didn’t forget how to play.”

Cousins has plenty to prove, and at 36 years old, he’ll be looking for another opportunity to showcase his abilities. Whether that chance comes in Cleveland or elsewhere remains to be seen.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns Likely Suitor for $180 Million Deshaun Watson Replacement appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Chubb suffered a broken foot during Sunday’s 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. It was another setback after Chubb had worked extremely hard to return from a devastating knee injury in 2023 that required a pair of surgeries.

“Yeah, it’s real hard to see,” Browns running back Jerome Ford said. “Seeing all the work that he’s put in to be on the field, and then him having to turn around and have another injury like this. It’s sad to see. I know the type of guy Nick is, he’s just back to work.”

Chubb appeared in eight games this season and recorded 332 rushing yards and four total touchdowns — three rushing and one receiving.

With Chubb out, the Browns added Jacob Kibodi to the practice squad. He joins a room that includes Ford, Pierre Strong Jr. and D’Onta Foreman. Kibodi, a rookie, previously spent time on the New Orleans Saints practice squad.

The Browns also waived tight end Cameron Latu from the practice squad.

Nick Chubb Set Tone for Browns

The Browns will hand the reins over to Ford, who is in his third year with the Browns. He took over the lead-back role a year ago after Chubb went down in Week 2. Ford received just eight carries as a rookie but was thrust into a prominent role with Chubb sidelined. He rushed for 813 yards and added 319 receiving yards.

Ford had his best game of the season against the Chiefs, rushing for 84 yards on just seven carries. Most of that came on a 62-yard touchdown scamper in the second half.

The Browns have been eliminated from postseason contentions but Ford wants to finish strong for Chubb.

“Making sure we finish out the season strong, just kind of taking it how he would and taking it day by day,” Ford said. “Making sure we put the work in throughout the week so that we can get what we want on game day. Playing hard on Sundays and trying to win out.”

Nick Chubb Facing Uncertain Future

Chubb is third on Cleveland’s all-time rushing list, with 6,843 yards and 51 rushing touchdowns. During his recovery this offseason, it became evident that he means more to the franchise than most other players. He’s expressed a desire to finish out his career in Cleveland.

“Obviously, it’s important,” Chubb said recently, before the injury. “I started here, I’d like to finish here.”

Chubb is slated to be a free agent this offseason. To remain in Cleveland, he’ll have to reach a new deal with the Browns, but veteran Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio doesn’t see that as an issue.

“If Nick Chubb wants to be a Brown, he’ll be a Brown next year,” Bitonio said. “That’s all I got for that. I think he’s earned that, and they’ll figure something out.”

The Browns face the Cincinnati Bengals this week. Cleveland is a touchdown underdog for the AFC North showdown, per ESPN BET. In October, the Bengals won the first matchup against the Browns 21-14.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns Make Move With Nick Chubb After Season-Ending Injury appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Beyond that, Chubb is playing in the final year of his contract and will turn 30 years old in December of 2025. He took a massive pay cut last offseason to remain in Cleveland, dropping his total guarantees to just above $2 million following a Week 2 knee injury in 2023 that sidelined him for the remainder of the year and required two surgeries to get him back on his feet.

Chubb is now officially injury-prone and aging, while the Browns are cash-strapped across the next several seasons and have already shown an unwillingness to keep Chubb on the roster if he’s going to cost more than the team can afford. All of that points to the four-time Pro Bowler exiting Cleveland in March, when he will become an unrestricted free agent barring an extension from the Browns before then.

But while anyone familiar with the current status of the NFL’s running back market (particularly those approaching 30) and the salary cap nightmare Cleveland created for itself with the $230 million contract it gave Deshaun Watson would say it’s all but a guarantee that the Browns cut ties with Chubb this spring, one of the team’s best players guaranteed on Sunday that they won’t — as long as Chubb wants to remain a part of the locker room.

“If Nick Chubb wants to be a Brown, he’ll be a Brown next year,” five-time All-Pro guard Joel Bitonio said, per Daniel Oyesufi of ESPN. “That’s all I got for that. He’s earned that, and they’ll figure something out.”

Joel Bitonio’s Optimism Hard Sell Considering NFL History

GettyCleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio (left) celebrates with running back Nick Chubb (right).

Bitonio’s certainty is surprising, to say the least, and it screams of someone who has more faith in the personal side of player-franchise relationships in the NFL than history would suggest is wise.

It’s clearly a ‘What have you done for me lately?’ sort of league, and the only answer Chubb can offer for the past two years is ‘Not all that much.’

That said, his numbers in Cleveland when healthy have been phenomenal and would probably have been even better if the franchise was just a little more competent. Say, perhaps, if it had put even one solid QB in place for more than a handful of games at a time over Chubb’s first five years in the league.

But Bitonio is far more familiar with the organization than most, having spent the entirety of his 11 years there, including the last seven with Chubb as a teammate in the offensive huddle. If anyone in that franchise deserves a haul for past performance rather than future potential, it’s most definitely Chubb.

Huge Pay Cut Best Chance of Nick Chubb, Browns Reunion

GettyCleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb.

Chubb has tallied 6,843 rushing yards and 51 TDs on the ground along with 128 receptions for 1,042 yards and 5 TDs across his 85 regular season appearances (78 starts).

He rushed for 996 yards and 8 TDs in his rookie campaign and never put up worse totals in either category for the next four seasons between 2019-22.

Even still, all of that is in the past and third-year running back Jerome Ford has proven more than capable of stepping into a starting role in Chubb’s absence over the past two years. Beyond Ford’s dual-threat abilities as a rusher and pass catcher, he is also younger and far less expensive than Chubb.

At 25 years old, Ford still has another year on his rookie deal, which carries a salary cap hit of under $1.2 million in 2025. Chubb, meanwhile, signed a three-year contract worth more than $36 million the last time the Browns paid him.

Chubb will probably need to ink a one-year deal and prove he can stay healthy and return to some semblance of his pre-injury form before he can expect another meaningful deal. As such, if he wants to come back to Cleveland and is willing to try and prove it there, then perhaps Bitonio is right on the money.

But there will likely be other opportunities on better-assembled rosters for Chubb to go and rebuild his value, so the notion that he wants to remain with the Browns beyond this year at all is merely speculation.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns All-Pro Guarantees RB Nick Chubb’s Future With Team appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Cleveland started five different signal callers during the 2023 campaign, yet was still able to cobble together an 11-win season and enter the playoffs as the top Wildcard team in the AFC.

The Browns have started two different QBs this year, though to far different results. Cleveland is 3-11 and just made another change under center ahead of their divisional showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN reported on Tuesday, December 17, that the Browns are benching Jameis Winston and turning back to second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who will become the team’s third starter during the 2024 campaign.

“Coach Kevin Stefanski benched Jameis Winston late in the team’s 21-7 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after his third interception of his game. It was Winston’s third three-interception game since taking over as starter for the injured Deshaun Watson in Week 8.” Oyefusi wrote. “After Sunday’s game and during his Monday news conference, Stefanski declined to commit to a quarterback for the next game.”

Thompson-Robinson started three times during his rookie campaign in 2023, going 1-2 and completing just 53.6% of his passes for 440 yards, 1 TD and 4 INTs. He has appeared in four games for Cleveland this season with even worse results, recording 100 yards and 3 INTs with a completion rate of only 44.1%.

Browns Knew Risks Before Signing Jameis Winston as Backup QB

Getty Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston.

Winston has completed more than 61% of his passes and is averaging north of 300 yards per game through the air, but his turnovers are the problem. In fairness, Cleveland knew about the two sides of the former No. 1 overall pick before they signed him to a one-year, $4 million contract to backup Watson.

For his career, Winston has thrown 154 TDs along with 111 INTs. He led the NFL in passing yards with 5,109 in 2019 as well as interceptions with 30.

The quarterback has thrown 13 TDs compared to 12 INTs through five starts this year, in which the Browns are 2-5. Wilson is 36-51 as a starter over the course of his 10-year career that included stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints before he landed in Cleveland.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson Not Long-Term Answer for Browns at QB

GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

It wouldn’t be shocking if Winston gets another shot with the Browns at some point over the final three games of 2024, as Thompson-Robinson has been considerably worse and has an obviously lower ceiling.

Despite Cleveland’s five losses under Winston, the team also beat AFC North Division rivals and soon-to-be playoff teams in the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.

However, the Browns’ decision to bench Winston is a strong harbinger of what may come at the quarterback position this offseason. Cleveland would pick 7th overall were the league to hold next year’s draft today, and the Browns are now more likely than ever to look for a quarterback in that spot.

The franchise is stuck with Watson’s albatross of a contract for the next two years, so it must find a quality QB at value if there is any hope to compete in the near future. Winston looked like he could potentially be that player, though his benching this week has all but completely trashed that notion.

Using the current situation as context, the Browns may decide to stick with Thompson-Robinson regardless of how he plays, as losing out is far more beneficial than winning another contest in what is already a long-lost season.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns Make Jaw-Dropping Move at QB Ahead of Bengals Matchup appeared first on Heavy Sports.

After arriving via trade, Cleveland signed Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million deal in 2022. The Browns were hoping he could be their franchise quarterback, but it has proved to be an unmitigated disaster.

Watson has cap charges of $73 million each of the next two seasons, plus nearly $27 million in 2027. Parting with Watson would trigger a $119 million cap charge in 2025. ESPN insider Adam Schefter doesn’t see a way out for the Browns.

“They’re stuck,” Schefter said on Monday during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

He continued: “They have to bring him back. They’re stuck with the contract.”

Browns to Give Deshaun Watson Chance to Compete for Starting Job

Watson has played in just 19 games with Cleveland. The Browns have a 9-10 record in games he has started, including a 1-6 record this season. Watson has thrown for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions during that span.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the team is still willing to give Watson a shot at returning and competing for the starting job. And it’s about more than just the money.

“The Browns are willing to allow Watson to at least compete for the job for more reasons than just the fact they’re paying him a boatload of money,” Cabot said. “The Browns believe that Watson can still play at a high level, and that the first seven games of this season were not a true reflection of his ability.”

Watson is recovering from a season-ending Achilles injury but is expected to be ready for the start of next season. He’s mostly been away from the team since the injury, which occured during a Week 7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Cleveland is 3-10 but are currently in line for the No. 7 overall pick in the draft, per Tankathon. That could make it tough for the Browns to draft one of the top quarterback prospects but they could also bring in an affortable free agent.

Albert Breer of the MMQB floated the idea of Justin Fields, who is currently the backup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“They’ll consider the quarterbacks in the draft, and then I think the other piece of it could be adding a reclamation project … trying to find this year’s Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield,” Breer said on the MMQB Podcast. “Maybe that’s Justin Fields?”

Browns Sorting Out Starting QB for Remainder of Season

The Watson issue is a problem for next season. The Browns are still sorting out who will be the starting quarterback moving forward with Jameis Winston struggling to limit his turnovers.

Winston has tossed eight interceptions in the last three games and 12 since taking over the starting role. He was benched during a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after throwing his third interception. The Browns rolled with second-year passer Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the second half.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has declined to name the starter for the team’s Week 16 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“My focus, whether it’s the quarterback position or really any position, is constantly trying to do what I feel like is best for the team, for right now for this week for Cincinnati,” Stefanski said. “That’s really where our focus is.”

The Browns are a touchdown underdog against the Bengals, per ESPN BET.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns Dealt Harsh 2-Word Reality Check on Deshaun Watson appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Chubb suffered a broken foot during Sunday’s 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The injury will end Chubb’s season and put his future in doubt. Chubb is in the final year of his contract with the Browns, and concerns about his long-term durability are warranted.

Chubb was the highlight of a tough season for the Browns, making a triumphant return in Week 7 after spending over a year recovering from a devastating knee injury that required two surgeries.

But Chubb did not look like himself upon the return, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry.

Steelers RB Jaylen Warren Highlighted as Potential Nick Chubb Replacement

There’s a strong chance Chubb returns next season on a new — and likely conservative — deal. However, he’ll probably need some support in the backfield. One potential addition could be Jaylen Warren, currently with the Pittsburgh Steelers but set to hit free agency after this season. Bleacher Report highlighted Warren as a must-add for the Browns in free agency.

“Browns fans are obviously going to hope that Nick Chubb can regain his form and health after his latest injury. He came back from a devastating knee injury this season and didn’t look like the same guy. However, another year of recovery might bring about a career renaissance,” Bleacher Report wrote. “Unfortunately, that feels less likely than the Browns simply needing to replace Chubb. Stealing a playmaker from the Steelers could ease some of that pain. Jaylen Warren has shown signs that he could be a good lead back or a high-end receiving back. Either way, he’s taken a back seat to Najee Harris.”

Warren has been used sparingly by the Steelers, recording double-digit carries just three times this season. He’s recorded 371 yards and one touchdown.

Browns Teammates Hurting for Nick Chubb After Injury

Chubb is really the heartbeat of the Browns, and his teammates were devastated to see him suffer another serious injury.

“It is really hard to see, seeing all the work that he’s put in to be on the field and then him having to turn around and have another injury like this,” running back Jerome Ford said. “It’s sad to see and I know the type of guy Nick is, he’s just back to work.”

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski echoed that sentiment from Ford.

“I can’t say it enough, how impressive it was to watch him get back this season,” Stefanski said. “So, very, very disappointed with yesterday and then him having that unfortunate injury, but it can’t take away from what he was able to accomplish this season.”

Ford will take over the lead back duties with Chubb sidelined, just as he did a year ago. He is coming off his best game of the season, rushing for 84 yards on just eight carries against the Chiefs. The highlight was a rumbling 62-yard score in the second half. Ford has 451 yards rushing and two touchdowns this season. He’s averaging a solid 5.2 yards per carry.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns Rival RB Proposed as Nick Chubb Replacement appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Winston tossed three interceptions in the loss and was yanked in the second half for second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. He also lost a fumble after being sacked.

The Browns were still well within striking distance when Winston was pulled. But Cleveland wanted to see if Thompson-Robinson could provide them with a spark. He made a few solid plays but threw an interception when the Browns were driving late.

After the game, Stefanski avoided naming a starting quarterback moving forward.

“I’m not gonna get into any decisions right now,” Stefanski said. “This is not about one person. I want to make that very clear. Jameis does a great job preparing for these games. He’s fighting his tail off, and I appreciate that from him, but we’ll make that decision [of who will start going forward] later.”

As a team, the Browns turned the ball over six times against the defending Super Bowl champions.

“You cannot turn the ball over six times and expect to win the game, at any level,” Stefanski said. “What we’re doing in terms of adding a degree of difficulty, it’s tough to win. It’s everybody. It’s not one person.”

Jameis Winston’s Turnovers Put Him on Thin Ice With Browns

There’s no doubt Winston provided some good things for the Browns offense. He sparked the unit that was previously lifeless with Deshaun Watson under center. Winston has averaged better than 300 yards passing as the starter and even set the franchise single-game record against the Denver Broncos (497 yards).

However, turnovers have been Winston’s bugaboo for his entire career. He has tossed eight interceptions over his last three games. Stefanski stuck with Winston as the starter against the Chiefs but made his point on interceptions very clear ahead of the game.

“I look at it as we need to play better as an offense to help our team win,” Stefanski said. “We don’t want to give the ball away in any form or fashion. We don’t want to fumble it away. We don’t want to throw interceptions. But we also coach each play because each play is a little bit different than the last. So, like I’ve said to you guys before, not all interceptions are created equal, and all we can do with any play is learn from them. And that’s what Jameis will continue to do.”

Browns QB Jameis Winston Playing for NFL Future

At just 30 years old and a former No. 1 overall pick, Winston had a prime opportunity to revive his career as a starting quarterback. His ultimate goal was to use the opportunity as a springboard to secure a starting role, either in Cleveland or with another team.

“Every game that I get an opportunity to go out there and play is important to me, and this game is the most important because it’s the next game,” Winston said. “And obviously, I want to put on a great performance just for my career, for this team, and truly be the best I possibly can.”

Winston now faces an uphill battle to get his job back, let alone land another one.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns QB Jameis Winston Gets Bad News on Future After Benching appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Chubb left the contest against the Kansas City Chiefs in the third quarter due to a foot injury and was unable to return to the game. The full news, however, was considerably worse than that.

“Nick Chubb broke his foot,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said during his postgame press conference. “It’s tough.”

Chubb’s broken foot almost certainly means the end of his season, but it could also mean the end of his tenure in Cleveland after seven years with the franchise.

Jerome Ford Has Shown Ability to Replace Nick Chubb in Browns Offense

GettyCleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford.

Chubb is in the final year of his contract with the Browns and heading into his age-30 season.

The running back was among the highest-paid players at the position in the NFL when he inked a three-year extension worth north of $36 million in July 2021. However, Chubb restructured that deal ahead of this season following a catastrophic knee injury he suffered against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2 of the 2023 campaign.

Chubb agreed to convert most of his guaranteed money into an incentive-based package, dropping his guarantees to just over $2 million in 2024. After finishing the season with 102 carries for 332 rushing yards and 3 TDs on the ground as well as 5 catches for 31 yards and 1 score in eight games played, Chubb is going to miss out on most of the cash he gave back.

Meanwhile, Jerome Ford developed over a strong season last year and showed out again as Chubb’s replacement against Kansas City.

Ford, a third-year running back who will enter the final season of his rookie contract in 2025, posted 1,132 yards from scrimmage and 9 total TDs in 2023. He went for 84 yards and 1 TD on the ground and caught 2 passes for 20 yards against the Chiefs on Sunday.

Nick Chubb Must Rebuild Value With Healthy Season in 2025

GettyCleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb.

Chubb isn’t likely to get a monster deal, or even a multiyear deal, from anyone in the league after suffering his second major injury in two years. As such, it is unlikely that the Browns will be the team to bite, as they are the only franchise that arguably owes the running back some benefit of the doubt based on past performance.

At his peak, Chubb was arguably the best running back in the league. He went over 1,000 yards on the ground in four straight campaigns and has gained more than 6,800 yards rushing in 84 career regular season games played. Chubb has also tallied 56 total touchdowns and caught 128 passes for over 1,000 yards.

Chubb has come back from horrible injuries before, including his knee surgeries in 2023 and a similarly bad knee issue during his college days at the University of Georgia. By comparison, a broken foot isn’t as serious.

However, Chubb’s injury history and his age are going to push his value down on the free agent market, which likely means a team change and a one-year prove-it deal for Chubb in 2025.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns Share Heartbreaking News on Nick Chubb After Injury appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Chubb exited the game midway through the third quarter. He limped off the field and was taken to the locker room shortly after. The Browns diagnosed it as a foot injury and he was dubbed questionable to return.

“Hate to see it, especially with how hard he’s worked to get back on the field,” one fan said.

Another added: “This is why I was against Nick Chubb coming back this year. I think that’s the same side he had the knee injury on. It’s all kinetic. Browns organization has to look at everything from top to bottom this offseason.”

After the game, head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Chubb suffered a broken foot, ending his season and perhaps his career in Cleveland.

Chubb’s injury came during a rough outing. He had nine carries for 45 yards before the injury. However, Chubb was also in the mix on a pair of third-quarter turnovers. On one play, the ball went off Chubb’s hands and was intercepted. He also fumbled — a rare occurrence for Chubb. He has fumbled just six times in his career.

Browns running back Jerome Ford took over the lead back duties with Chubb out. He quickly made an impact, finding the sideline on a run and rumbling 62 yards to make it 21-7.

Browns Were Shifting to Split Between Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford

Chubb entered Sunday’s matchup with 291 yards and three touchdowns. He was averaging just 3.1 yards per carry.

The Browns had started to balance the workload more evenly between Chubb and Jerome Ford, with the duo splitting carries almost equally recently. Head coach Kevin Stefanski noted that the distribution may fluctuate depending on the game plan each week.

“We trust really all those guys in there. And there will be some moments where you lean into Nick for certain schemes and certain moments and there’ll be times when you lean into Jerome,” Stefanski said after a loss to the Denver Broncos. “I think it’s really based on a bunch of different factors.”

Ford took over as the lead back last season with Chubb out following a season-ending knee injury in Week 2. He notched 813 yards and four touchdowns last season, adding 319 receiving yards and five more touchdowns.

The Browns have averaged just 88.5 yards per game on the ground, ranked 30th in the NFL.

Browns RB Nick Chubb Faces Uncertain Future

Chubb is playing out the final year of his contract, leaving the Browns with a pivotal decision to make about the future of their backfield. If it were up to Chubb, he wouldn’t wear another jersey during his NFL career.

“I started here. I’d like to finish here,” he said. “Cleveland just means a lot to me. Everything we’ve been through, ups and downs, but I’m proud to be drafted here.”

There’s been some talk about Chubb potentially shutting it down with the postseason out of reach for the Browns. However, Chubb — who has a contract laced with incentives — isn’t ready to pack it up for the year.

“I have a long way to go before I shut anything down,” Chubb said Wednesday. “Every time I go out there, it’s practice reps, game reps, it’s me just getting better physically, mentally, all around. So I’m nowhere near shutting it down. Not even a thought.”

It’s still to be determined how serious the foot injury is for Chubb and if he’ll miss time. The Browns face the Bengals next week.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns RB Nick Chubb Suffers Devastating Injury Against Chiefs appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Watson is currently sidelined, recovering from a season-ending Achilles injury. Through three seasons, Watson has played in just 19 games with the Browns, suffering a pair of season-ending injuries.

When Watson has taken the field, his performance has been rough. The Browns hold a 9-10 record in his starts, with Watson throwing for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions during that span.

After arriving via trade, Cleveland signed Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million deal in 2022. The Browns were hoping he could be their franchise quarterback but it’s proved to be a disaster. Watson has cap charges of nearly $73 million each of the next two seasons, plus nearly $27 million in 2027. Parting with Watson would trigger a $119 million cap charge in 2025.

However, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the team is still willing to give Watson a shot at returning and competing for the starting job.

“The Browns are willing to allow Watson to at least compete for the job for more reasons than just the fact they’re paying him a boatload of money,” Cabot said. “The Browns believe that Watson can still play at a high level, and that the first seven games of this season were not a true reflection of his ability.”

Majority of Browns Fans Don’t Want Deshaun Watson Back

The Browns entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations, with some of their top players in their prime and eager to make a postseason run. But the Browns stumbled to a 1-6 record out of the gate, losing winnable games to the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants.

With Watson at quarterback, the offense was nearly unwatchable. With Jameis Winston at quarterback, the unit has taken a step forward, much like it did with Joe Flacco last season. Fans were not pleased to hear that Watson could potentially be returning.

“If this is real, there won’t be many fans in the stands at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Week 1,” Nick Pedone of BIGPLAY wrote on X. “If Deshaun Watson ever plays another snap for this organization, it would be even bigger monumental embarrassment than it already is.”

Another added: “Makes no sense. Even if he had actually played well over the last 3 seasons (he hadn’t, can argue he was average at best) any competent organization would be scared to death of a 30 year old QB who broke his shoulder and tore his achilles in (back to back) seasons,” a fan said. “He was all time bad in ‘24.”

Browns Will Make Deshaun Watson Compete for Starting Spot

The Browns are unwilling to let Watson return and be handed the starting gig, as he was this year following shoulder surgery. He’ll have to compete for it, with the Browns planning to stage a competition during camp, per Cabot.

“The Browns are also realistic enough to know that it might not happen, and will have at least one other bona fide starter in camp who will either come in as the starter, or with a chance to compete for the starting job,” Cabot said. “That could be Winston or someone else. They’ll look for their potential next QB1 in the draft, free agency or a trade.”

Much of that will depend on how the rest of the season unfolds for the Browns. At 3-10, they’re in the mix for a top draft pick. Only the Raiders and Giants had worse records entering Week 15.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns Controversial Deshaun Watson Decision Sparks Backlash appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Shedeur Sanders is expected to be one of the first quarterbacks selected in April’s NFL Draft. The Buffaloes standout has passed for 3,926 yards, 35 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season at Colorado, helping the Buffaloes exceed expectations.

There has been talk that Deion Sanders would try to control where his son lands, with the Browns and New York Giants being highlighted as teams he wouldn’t want him to play for. The notable NFL Rookie Watch account put out a post on Saturday laying out the rumor.

“Shedeur Sanders is reportedly ‘prepared’ to be drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders or the Dallas Cowboys in the upcoming NFL Draft,” the account said. “There is reportedly a ‘high likelihood’ Sanders would refuse to play if he was drafted by either the Giants or Browns. Similar to how Eli Manning refused to play for the Chargers in the 2004 NFL Draft.”

Deion Sanders responded to post with his own message, dispelling the rumor.

“A Lie don’t care who tells it,” Deion Sanders said. “Please stop trying to become relevant by misrepresenting my son. God bless you.”

Deion Sanders Has Said He’ll ‘Step In’ if Needed

To be fair, Coach Prime has said in the past that he’d “step in” if he felt the wrong team was looking to draft his son.

“Yeah, but I’m not gonna do it publicly. I’d do it privately,” Sanders said on “Speak” of FS1 in November. “And with Travis (Hunter) as well.”

Sanders then laid out what he’s looking for from a franchise that is looking to draft his son.

“Somebody that can handle the quarterback that he is. Somebody that can handle understanding what he’s capable of,” Sanders said. “Someone that has had success in the past handling quarterbacks or someone in an organization understands what they’re doing, not just throwing you out there amongst the wolves if you don’t have the support and the infrastructure of the team. Forget the line, he’s played with lines that haven’t been great but he’s been able to do his thing, but just the infrastructure of the team, the direction of where we’re going.”

Browns in Quarterback Limbo Due to Deshaun Watson

The Browns are dealing with a challenging situation at quarterback. The complications stem from Deshaun Watson and his massive, guaranteed deal. Cleveland signed Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million deal in 2022 after arriving via trade. The Browns were hoping he could be their franchise quarterback but it’s proved to be a disaster.

Watson has dealt with a ton of off-field drama stemming from sexual assault allegations and his play on the field has taken a significant step back since his time with the Houston Texans.

Through three seasons, Watson has played in just 19 games with the Browns, suffering a pair of season-ending injuries. Cleveland is 9-10 in his starts and Watson has passed for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

The Browns are expected to explore all their options this offseason, including drafting a quarterback. At 3-10 entering Week 15, the Browns will be in the mix for one of the top picks.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Deion Sanders Fires Back Over Latest Browns Rumor appeared first on Heavy Sports.

The Browns traded for Watson in 2022, hoping he could be their long-term solution at quarterback. It’s been anything but that and has created a disaster for the Browns to deal with going forward.

Watson is under contract for the next two years at $46 million annually. However, he will count $73 million against the cap each year, significantly hampering the Browns’ roster-building efforts. Cutting Watson — who is on a fully guaranteed contract — would lead to a historic amount of dead cap.

Watson struggled this season, going 1-6 as the starter for the Browns. In those games, the offense failed to break the 20-point mark even once, and Watson never threw for more than 200 yards.

Cleveland has remained noncommittal about Watson’s status as the starting quarterback upon his return, a stance recently echoed by owner Jimmy Haslam in a recent interview with ESPN.

“We need to get through the season and we will look at everything,” Haslam said in response to a question about Watson’s future.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry expressed a similar sentiment earlier this season.

“Really our focus with Deshaun — I would say, for any player with a season-ending injury and a major injury — is first and foremost with the recovery and to make sure he gets healthy from the Achilles injury,” Berry said. “Everything else we’ll deal with at a later moment.”

Deshaun Watson Called ‘Tone Deaf’ for Behavior

Watson has been out since October 20, when he suffered a season-ending Achilles rupture. He had surgery at the end of October and has not been around the team much since.

He has been present on social media, posting various videos from his Miami home with his girlfriend, Jilly Anais. Former NFL quarterback Shaun King recently called the posts from Watson “tone deaf.”

“I just think Deshaun Watson is tone-deaf,” King said on the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show. “I think he lives in an alternate universe and I don’t think he’s got anyone around him to keep him measured because, at the end of the day, I’m my brother’s keeper, right? Like I went to battle with these guys.”

Myles Garrett Says Browns Not on Same Page

Watson was bad when he was on the field, but the Browns have had a variety of issues plaguing them this season. Superstar pass-rusher Myles Garrett has been productive with 11 sacks but admitted that the team hasn’t been on the same page this year.

“Well, as far as teamwise, no, I don’t think we’ve all been on the same page. So that has probably been a majority of the dysfunction that we’ve seen on the field,” Garrett said. “Organizationally, I mean the goals have aligned all season, just the play and execution has not.”

Haslam said the lack of wins has left him perplexed.

“We went from 11-6 and making the playoffs to 3-10, so it’s a little perplexing what happened,” Haslam said.

The Browns have stumbled to a 3-10 record, which will likely put them in the mix for a top pick in the NFL Draft. The team could use that pick to select one of the top quarterbacks to be the successor to Watson.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns QB Deshaun Watson Gets More Bad News on Future appeared first on Heavy Sports.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell predicted on Thursday, December 12, that the Browns will instead replace both men with a rookie quarterback they will select in the 2025 draft, which comes around next April.

Winston’s most positive characteristic is that he’s not Deshaun Watson. The fact that the offense has gone from being one of the worst in recent NFL history with Watson under center to 25th in EPA per play over Winston’s six starts is a reflection of both his strengths and limitations.

Anybody would be better than Watson, and after he ended his disastrous season by tearing an Achilles in October, the Browns were essentially given an out for moving on from him as their full-time starter. (They’ll still be paying him $92 million over the next two years, but that’s a sunk cost and not enough to justify keeping him on the field.)

If the Browns decide to bench Watson permanently, he may be off of the roster ahead of next season. Or, if things are amicable enough between the team and quarterback, Cleveland may choose to keep Watson in the position group should it find itself in need of a backup for its QB of the future.

Who that quarterback will end up being is not something that Barnwell predicted directly, though he did write that the Browns’ starter in Week 1 of next season will be “a rookie quarterback selected in the 2025 draft.”

Browns Probably Won’t Land Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward in NFL Draft

GettyAlabama quarterback Jalen Milroe.

Were the league to hold the draft tomorrow, the Browns would select No. 8 overall. However, they are in a six-way tie for the second-worst record in the NFL at 3-10 and could easily slide up the board over the final month of the campaign.

That said, Cleveland will probably need to get lucky if the franchise hopes to land one of the top two quarterbacks on the board — Shedeur Sanders of Colorado or Cam Ward of Miami.

Instead, it is more likely that the Browns reach for a player in the second half of the top-10, perhaps Jalen Milroe of Alabama who showed legitimate dual-threat capability during his team’s three-loss campaign in 2024.

Browns May Bring Back Jameis Winston if NFL Draft Doesn’t Shake Out Right

Getty Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston.

The most likely scenario in which Barnwell is wrong will come about if more than two quarterbacks are off the board before the Browns hit the clock in the first round of the draft, and Cleveland subsequently decides it doesn’t want to spend top-10 value on a player with a second-round, or even third-round, grade.

In that case, the team may decide to bring Winston back, as he has proven the ability to create a connection with both his teammates in the locker room and the fan base.

Winston’s rise in Cleveland this year is similar to that of Joe Flacco’s last season, though the Browns chose to move on from Flacco so as not to stoke controversy involving outside pressure to bench Watson — for whom the team continued to hold out hope heading into 2024.

Winston is playing on just a $4 million deal this season, though that price would almost certainly go up if the Browns attempt to re-sign him in March.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns Predicted to Replace Watson, Winston With Elite Rookie QB appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Chubb’s future has been a hot topic of discussion lately, as the four-time Pro Bowler hasn’t quite looked like his usual dominant self following major knee surgery after his 2023 injury. He’s notched 291 yards on 93 carries with three touchdowns since returning in Week 7. Chubb’s 3.1 yards per carry average is well below his career mark of 5.1.

He’s playing out the final year of his contract, leaving the Browns with a pivotal decision to make about the future of their backfield. At 28 years old, Chubb’s recent dip in production raises questions about whether it signals the beginning of a decline or if he simply needs more time to regain his footing and return to his status as an elite running back.

Both the Browns and Chubb made it clear this offseason that him remaining in Cleveland was important. If Chubb had his way, he’d be able to stick around with the Browns until he wraps up his NFL career.

“Obviously, it’s important,” Chubb said on Wednesday. “I started here, I’d like to finish here.”

Nick Chubb Not Shutting Down Despite Browns’ Record

The Browns are 3-10 and have been eliminated from playoff contention. With really nothing at stake but their draft position, Chubb was asked if he’s considered shutting it down for the season and focusing on his recovery.

“I have a long way to go before I shut anything down,” Chubb said.

The Browns have started to balance the workload more evenly between Chubb and Jerome Ford, with the duo splitting carries almost equally over the past two weeks. Head coach Kevin Stefanski noted that the distribution may fluctuate depending on the game plan each week.

“We trust really all those guys in there. And there will be some moments where you lean into Nick for certain schemes and certain moments and there’ll be times when you lean into Jerome,” Stefanski said after a loss to the Denver Broncos. “I think it’s really based on a bunch of different factors.”

The Browns have averaged just 88.5 yards on the ground per game, which ranks No. 29 in the NFL.

Browns Still Rolling With Jameis Winston at QB

The Browns have decided to stick with Jameis Winston for this week, despite only four games remaining in the season. There was some speculation about giving second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson a chance, particularly as Winston’s turnover issues continue to mount.

“We need to play better as an offense to help our team win. We don’t want to give the ball away in any form or fashion. We don’t want to fumble it away. We don’t want to throw interceptions,” Stefanski said. “But we also coach each play because each play is a little bit different than the last. So, like I’ve said to you guys before, not all interceptions are created equal, and all we can do with any play is learn from them. And that’s what Jameis will continue to do.”

Winston has sparked the once-dormant Browns offense, providing some big plays in the passing game. It’s been a step in the right direction but he just needs to cut down on the dangerous throws. If he can do that, the Browns might consider keeping Winston around next year to compete for the starting gig.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Nick Chubb Sends Message on Future With Browns Amid Speculation appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Toney saw limited time on the field but did serve as Cleveland’s punt returner in the 27-14 loss. He returned four punts for 44 yards, with a long return of 19. But his most notable plays were negative ones.

Toney was called for an unsportsmanlike taunting penalty and also muffed a punt in the fourth quarter as the Browns were trying to make a comeback. Toney was confident he’d be able to bounce back from the mistakes.

“Facts,” Toney said. “I’ve always been, I’m going to forever be the same player. I mean, I don’t think it’s really nothing crazy, you know what I’m saying? I feel like everybody makes a mistake. Whether you see it on film or you don’t, it’s there.”

Browns Waive Kadarius Toney

Toney won’t be able to bounce back with the Browns, who waived him on Tuesday. He could still land back with the practice squad if he clears waivers. In all, Toney appeared in three games with the Browns.

Toney will likely not get a chance to face the Kansas City Chiefs, his former team that the Browns see this week. Last season, he caught 27 passes for 169 yards with one touchdown in 13 regular-season games with the Chiefs.

Toney’s most impactful performance in a Chiefs jersey came in the Super Bowl. He caught one pass for a touchdown and had a long punt return to help the Chiefs win the title.

Toney previously spent 12 games with five starts with the New York Giants. He didn’t live up to his draft selection, catching just 41 passes for 420 yards.

After waiving Toney, the Browns signed receivers Kaden Davis and Jaelen Gill, kicker Riley Patterson and tackle Julian Pearl to the practice squad. Cleveland also released defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour from the practice squad.

Browns Place CB Greg Newsome on Injured Reserve

The Browns will be without one of their top cornerbacks for the season’s final stretch. Greg Newsome was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday, ending his fourth NFL early. He’s dealing with a hamstring injury he suffered against the Steelers. Newsome had surgery on the same hamstring in July to repair a partial tear.

Newsome has appeared in 13 games with three starts. He has recorded 27 tackles, one interception and five passes defensed.

Newsome was mentioned in trade rumors during the offseason, but ultimately stayed in Cleveland. He’s under contract for 2025 on a fifth-year option worth over $13 million.

The Browns will continue to roll with Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson Jr. as their top two cornerbacks. With Newsome out of the mix, second-year cornerback Cameron Mitchell is expected to get some more reps.

The Browns are 3-10 and have been eliminated from playoff contention. But Cleveland will continue to look to play spoiler the rest of the season. Next up is a high-profile matchup against the Chiefs in front of a home crowd. The Browns are a 4.5-point underdog, per ESPN BET.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns Cut Ties With High-Profile WR Ahead of Chiefs Matchup appeared first on Heavy Sports.

A social media post from Watson went viral on Monday, sparking backlash from Browns fans. The post featured Watson appearing to be on vacation, spending time with his girlfriend, Jilly Anais.

“Deshaun Watson enjoying life with his girlfriend Jilly Anais in Los Angeles. $230 million never looked better,” NFL aggregator Dov Kleiman posted along with the video from Watson’s Instagram.

Everyone deserves to enjoy themselves, but fans weren’t thrilled about Watson being so public with his good times given his current situation with the Browns.

Watson signed a fully guaranteed $230 million contract in 2022 after being traded to the Browns in a high-profile deal. Since then, he has played in just 19 games, tallying 3,365 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, with a 9-10 record as a starter.

His struggles to meet expectations have raised questions about his ability to remain Cleveland’s franchise quarterback. And his disconnection from the team as he recovers speaks volumes.

𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Deshaun Watson enjoying life with his girlfriend Jilly Anais in Los Angeles.

$230 Million never looked better. pic.twitter.com/ujvneX6dBI

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 10, 2024

“Dude don’t care about football anymore,” one fan said.

Another added: “Lol the Browns are the dumbest franchise in the history of professional sports.”

Others didn’t mind seeing Watson away from the locker room.

“So tired of the Deshaun Watson conversation on here. We’re 3-10 and likely heading for the start of another multi-year rebuild,” a fan said. “(I don’t care) if our former starting QB isn’t in the locker room. Quite frankly I hope he never steps foot in it again.”

Deshaun Watson Recently Visited Browns

Watson has been out since October 20, when he suffered a season-ending Achilles rupture. He had surgery at the end of October and has not been around the team much since. However, he did visit the Browns recently, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

“Watson made a brief appearance in the Browns locker room last week in his boot and on crutches as he rehabs from surgery to repair his ruptured Achilles,” Cabot said. “Watson said he feels good and that his rehab is going well, but declined to talk beyond that.

“A source said that Watson’s recovery is going great, and that he expects to be back with the Browns next season. If all goes well, he should be able to practice by the start of training camp at the end of July.”

Deshaun Watson’s Future as Browns’ Starter is Uncertain

Watson is under contract for the next two years at $46 million a year. However, he will count $73 million against the cap each year, significantly hampering the Browns’ roster-building efforts. Cutting Watson would lead to a historic amount of dead cap.

The Browns are set to explore all possible avenues this offseason to address their quarterback situation. Options on the table include pursuing an affordable free-agent signing, targeting a prospect in the NFL Draft, or retaining Jameis Winston, who has stepped in as the starter for all six games since Watson’s injury.

It appears very unlikely that Watson will be given the starting role when he returns.

“Our focus with Deshaun — I would say for any player with a season-ending injury and a major injury — is first and foremost with the recovery and to make sure that he gets healthy from the Achilles injury,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said on Nov. 6. “Everything else we’ll deal with at a later moment.”

Watson struggled this season, going 1-6 as the starter for the Browns. In those games, the offense failed to break the 20-point mark even once, and Watson never threw for more than 200 yards.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns QB Deshaun Watson Faces Backlash for Latest Post appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Winston is now 2-4 as the Browns starting quarterback since taking over the role from the injured Deshaun Watson in week 8. Winston has thrown for 1,975 yards with 13 touchdowns and 9 interceptions this season. He signed a one-year deal with the Browns for this season.

With the Browns (3-10) officially eliminated from the playoffs, some have asked if the they would turn to Dorian Thompson-Robinson to see how the younger QB would perform in the final four games of the season. But during the December 10 press conference, Stefanski made it clear Winston will continue starting, at least for now.

When asked if Winston would remain the starter he simply replied, “Yes.”

On Monday, Stefanski expanded on that answer when asked if it was important to get more tape on Winston as they decide what to do with the QB position at the future, “Our focus right now is really just trying to find ways to get a win. And that’s a big part of this week. Finding ways to play good football on offense, defense and special teams and put ourselves in a position to find a way to win.”

He added, “For me and for us we’re just going to continue to do everything we can to play better. Obviously I think we can play better on offense, certainly as a team we can play better. But really the focus is making sure we can put our guys in a position to find a way to win.”

Kevin Stefanski Did Not Address Whether the Browns Would Want to Look at Dorian Thompson-Robinson for the Future

When asked Monday if the Browns would want to take a closer look at Thompson-Robinson for the future, Stefanski said, “My line of thinking is about Kansas City and this week. That’s where I’ll really focus.”

Thompson-Robinson, 25, was drafted by the Browns out of UCLA in the 5th round of the 2023 draft. He’s appeared in 11 games during his time in Cleveland with 522 passing yards on 137 attempts with 1 touchdown and 6 interceptions. The Browns also have former New England Patriots starting QB Bailey Zappe on their roster. Zappe is also 25.

Stefanski told reporters the focus is on improving the team with Winston as the signal caller.

“We need to play better as an offense to help our team win. We don’t want to give the ball away in any form or fashion,” Stefanski said at Monday’s press conference. “We don’t want to fumble it away, we don’t want to throw interceptions. But we also coach each play, because each play is a little different than the last. So, like I’ve said to you guys before, not all interceptions are created equal and all we can do with any play is learn from them and that’s what Jameis will continue to do.”

In his press conference after the loss Stefanski told reporters, “Let’s worry about this one right now. Jameis, obviously, we lost as a team. I know he feels like he can play better, but we win and lose as a team.”

Wyatt Teller Says Jameis Winston Brings ‘Joy’ to the Team

Browns guard Wyatt Teller told reporters Monday, “I love Jameis, Jameis is a brother in Christ. It’s a different relationship. I want the best for him, I want the best for Dorian, I want the best for Bailey. I want the best for all of our guys.”

He added about Winston’s energy during the 3-10 season, “It’s tough and it sucks and having someone who still finds joy … even in the bad trials, even in the storms, even in the worst of it, there’s still joy there’s still something to be said.”

Stefanski said at his press conference Monday, “It’s extremely disappointing to play not well enough to get a win on the road. Obviously losing the turnover battle is difficult, makes life harder on yourself and trying to find a way to win.

He added, “We have to do a better job there, which I think is obvious. There’s things we think we feel we can clean up and do better and that’s what we’ll do. We’ll just keep our head down and get back to work.”

The Browns return to the field on December 15 at home against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Kevin Stefanski Makes Call on Jameis Winston After Loss to Steelers appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Winston has sparked the Browns offense since being inserted as the starter in Week 8. But his big plays have come with a hefty serving of turnovers. Winston has passed for 1,975 yards and 13 touchdowns, but he’s also tossed nine interceptions — including five in the last two games.

For the first time, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski declined to answer if Winston would be the starter moving forward after the loss to the Steelers.

“Let’s worry about this one right now,” Stefanski said. “Jameis, obviously, we lost as a team. I know he feels like he can play better, but we win and lose as a team.”

Browns May Want Look at Dorian Thompson-Robinson

The reality is that the Browns are 3-10 and have four games to evaluate their roster. That includes the quarterback position, with Dorian Thompson-Robinson serving as the backup. Deshaun Watson is under contract for the next two seasons but will not be handed the starting job when he returns from an Achilles injury.

Cleveland drafted Thompson-Robinson in the fifth round in 2023 and might want to get a more extended look at him as the starter.

Thompson-Robinson has seen some scattered time under center for the Browns. He’s 1-2 in his starts, passing for 807 yards, two touchdowns and nine interceptions.

The Browns also have Bailey Zappe on the practice squad but are unlikely to dig that deep on the depth chart.

Jameis Winston Takes Blame for Browns Loss

Winston’s interceptions have been particularly damaging over the past two weeks. Against the Broncos, two of his passes were returned for touchdowns, and on Sunday, his turnovers handed the Steelers excellent field position.

“Number one, you give them credit,” Stefanski said of the Steelers. “They did a good job obviously in rush and coverage. There are things we can clean up. I think Jameis is going to definitely want some throws and decisions back, like you do in every single game. But we’ll learn from it.”

Winston echoed that sentiment from his head coach while stressing that he’s focused on limiting his turnovers.

“Every game is unique, and the most critical thing about this game is, when you come to the road against a great opponent, you can’t lose a turnover margin,” Winston said. “And yes, some opportunities will be missed, but when we, me, when I protect the football and I give our defense to do what they did, find a way to get a turnover. I mean they kept fighting, they kept putting us in good situations. We just have to capitalize on drives as an offense.”

But Winston still brings a lot of good to an offense that was non-existent previously. He’s awakened Jerry Jeudy as a true No. 1 receiver. Jeudy, who came over in a trade this offseason, has 944 yards and four touchdowns — the majority of that coming with Winston under center.

Winston and the Browns have a challenging game on deck as they host Patrick Mahomes and the AFC-leading Kansas City Chiefs.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Jameis Winston Gets Bad News on Future With Browns appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Carly Teller, the wife of Browns Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller, posted a message about the situation following the game on X.

“The fans in Pittsburgh today were so blatantly disrespectful to me and the Browns girls. I’ve never felt so attacked by people who I literally did nothing to,” Teller said. “Very sad/embarrassing behavior.”

The rivalry has always been contentious, but the Steelers were eager to get revenge on the Browns for their loss on Nov. 21. Some additional trash talk between players like George Pickens and Greg Newsome added some extra attention to the rivalry.

It’s no excuse for treating family members of players poorly and Teller found support in the comments.

“Sorry you had to deal with these savages Carly. I know you repped our city and team with class. It’s a shame you had to be exposed to such horrible people while simply cheering on your man. Us browns fans will always have your back,” one fan said.

Another fan added: “I’m sorry you were treated that way. That sucks. I’d imagine the same thing happens to some of the opposing team fans that come to our stadium. It’s too bad it happens to anyone really.”

Browns Can’t Overcome Errors in Loss to Steelers

The game on the field was pretty ugly for the Browns, too. The Browns turned the ball over three times on a pair of interceptions and a fumble.

Browns quarterback Jameis Winston was coming off a massive performance in a loss to the Broncos, setting the franchise single-game passing record. However, he didn’t have the same spark and continued his rough run of turnovers.

“In that game, I feel like the Pittsburgh Steelers, they let the Cleveland Browns beat the Cleveland Browns,” Winston said after the game. “I don’t believe the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns. I believe the Cleveland Browns beat the Cleveland Browns.”

The Browns have four games left and at 3-10 are in a position to land a prime draft pick.

Browns Kicking Woes Continue Against Steelers

In addition to the turnovers, the Browns also missed a pair of field goals that changed the game’s momentum. Dustin Hopkins missed from 38 and 43 yards against the Steelers.

“I still feel really good mentally, which might not make sense to some people out there. But I feel good. I’m not panicked,” Hopkins said after the loss. “I just need to find a good swing.”

He’s now 16-of-25 (64%) on field goal attempts for the season, but the Browns can’t simply switch kickers. This offseason, they signed him to a three-year extension, making him one of the highest-paid kickers in the league. If they choose to go in another direction and cut Hopkins, it will come with dead cap money the Browns simply can’t afford.

The Browns’ final four games are tough. They’ll host Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs next week.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Wife of Browns Star Calls Out Steelers Fans After Loss appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Watson has been out since October 20, when he suffered a season-ending Achilles rupture. He had surgery at the end of October and has not been around the team much since.

However, Watson visited this week, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

“Watson made a brief appearance in the Browns locker room last week in his boot and on crutches as he rehabs from surgery to repair his ruptured Achilles,” Cabot said. “Watson said he feels good and that his rehab is going well, but declined to talk beyond that.”

Cabot reported that the expectation from Watson is that he’ll be back with the Browns next season — something that has been debated since his latest injury.

“A source said that Watson’s recovery is going great, and that he expects to be back with the Browns next season. If all goes well, he should be able to practice by the start of training camp at the end of July.”

Deshaun Watson Under Contract for 2 More Years With Browns

The Browns don’t have a way out of Watson’s contract due to the fully guaranteed $230 million contract he signed upon his arrival in 2022. He’s under contract for the next two years at $46 million a year but will count $73 million against the cap each year. Cutting Watson would lead to a historic amount of dead cap.

The Browns also sacrificed significant draft capital, including three first-round picks and additional assets, to acquire him in 2022. However, the Browns did not commit to Watson as their starting quarterback moving forward following the Achilles injury.

“Our focus with Deshaun I would say for any player with a season-ending injury and a major injury is first and foremost with the recovery and to make sure that he gets healthy from the Achilles injury,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said on Wednesday, November 6. “Everything else we’ll deal with at a later moment.”

Watson is 9-10 as the Browns’ starter. He’s passed for 3,365 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Jameis Winston Could be Deshaun Watson Replacement for Browns

The Browns may not have to look far to find Watson’s replacement. Jameis Winston has been playing at a high level since taking over as the starter and leads the NFL in passing yards per game (336.0). He entered the matchup against the Steelers fresh off setting the Browns’ franchise single-game record for passing yards in a loss to the Broncos, racking up 497 yards.

The Browns struggled to find offensive rhythm with Watson at the helm this season, failing to score more than 20 points in any game he started. Watson also fell short of reaching 200 passing yards in every outing.

Winston still struggles with turnovers, which was evident against the Broncos. He tossed a pair of costly interceptions returned for touchdowns. However, he’s earning respect around the league for his play.

“If you saw the game (Monday night)last night, man, you saw what they’re capable of with Dorsey as a play caller and Winston as a quarterback,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of Winston. “There was some explosive play making, they went up and down the field. [Jerry] Jeudy had a big night, and that’s what I meant when I described him as a gunslinger a couple of weeks ago when we played him. He’s got unbelievable arm talent. He was the first pick in the draft, and you’re not the first pick in the draft for no reason, man. He’s got arm strength, he’s got accuracy, he’s got trajectory.”

The Browns could explore the draft for a long-term solution, with the 30-year-old Winston potentially stepping in as a bridge starter. Watson’s role in that scenario remains uncertain.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Deshaun Watson Returns to Browns Ahead of Steelers Matchup appeared first on Heavy Sports.

The Browns placed their big left tackle on injured reserve on Saturday, likely ending his season. He could potentially return for the team’s season-finale but it seems unlikely considering his injury issues. Wills has been dealing with a lingering knee injury.

The Browns drafted Wills No. 10 overall in 2020, hoping he could be their left tackle of the future. He started 57 games in five seasons with Cleveland but his inconsistent play and sometimes effort led to questions about his viability as an option moving forward.

The Browns decided not to extend Wills this offseason and he’ll be a free agent this offseason. Many are speculating that Wills is done for good in Cleveland.

“… it could spell the end here for Wills, who’s playing out his fifth-year option year at $14.175 million. If the Browns do re-sign Wills, it will likely be as a swing tackle, with Dawand Jones set to reclaim the left tackle job when he returns next season from his broken fibula, and All-Pro Jack Conklin manning the right side,” Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com said.

Browns’ LT Jedrick Wills Caused Stir With Comments on Injury

Wills will likely pursue a starting gig elsewhere if the Browns make it clear that Jones will be the starter when he returns. He created a stir earlier this season when he said he made a “business decision” to not play against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 27.

Many took that to mean that Wills was looking out for his personal future when deciding to play, knowing free agency is on the horizon. However, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski clarified Wills’ situation.

“It was a poor choice of words,” Stefanski said of Wills’ remark. “I know the connotation of ‘business decision.’ That’s not how he meant it. He did not feel like he was near 100% to help us. But a poor choice of words and he understands it.”

With both Wills and Jones sidelined, Germain Ifedi has been starting and left tackle.

Browns Add Kadarius Toney to Active Roster

In addition to placing Wills and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst on injured reserve, the Browns signed receivers Kadarius Toney and Michael Woods II to the active roster from the practice squad.

Toney is in his fourth NFL season out of Florida. Originally a first-round pick by the New York Giants in 2021, Toney has appeared in 34 career games, including two with the Browns this season. He has recorded 82 career receptions for 760 yards with three touchdowns and won a pair of Super Bowls with the Chiefs.

Woods is in his third NFL season out of Oklahoma. A sixth-round pick by the Browns in 2022, Woods has appeared in 11 career games and recorded eight receptions for 88 yards.

The Browns are closely evaluating their pass-catchers as the season enters its final stretch. With Cedric Tillman sidelined due to a concussion, Sunday’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers presents a prime opportunity for others to step up and earn valuable reps.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns First-Round Pick Gets Bad News on Future in Cleveland appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Pickens and the Steelers are set to host the Browns on Sunday for a highly anticipated rematch. The Browns won their Week 12 clash 24-19 in the snow. The game concluded with Pickens and Newsome exchanging blows after the game’s final play. Pickens lost his helmet and was held back by stadium security.

Newsome has continued to talk trash, calling Pickens a “fake tough guy” on social media. But Pickens delivered a puzzling comment on Friday in advance of their matchup.

“I don’t even know who that is,” Pickens said when asked if there would be trash talk between him and Newsome on Sunday.

The comment from Pickens generated quite the response from fans.

“Not knowing who a notable starter is on the other team is always the corniest thing you can say,” one fan said.

“Weird way of saying you don’t watch film,” another added.

Browns CB Greg Newsome Responds to George Pickens

Newsome was asked about the recent comments from Pickens on Friday and pointed out the Steelers star’s reputation.

“I’m all about the team. Obviously, he’s a guy who cares more so about himself and you an see that in the penalties he causes,” Newsome said.

Pickens’ unpredictable behavior has not been isolated to the incident with the Browns. He was up to his antics in a 44-38 victory last week. Pickens was flagged twice for unsportsmanlike conduct, drawing a message from his head coach.

“He’s just got to grow up, man,” Tomlin told reporters, via ESPN. “This is an emotional game, man. These divisional games are big. He got a target on his back because he’s George, he understands that. But he’s got to grow up. He’s got to grow up in a hurry.”

Browns safety Grant Delpit, who had his own spat with Pickens, said the Browns game plan on Sunday is easy.

“We do what we do. Let him do what he does. Let him be bad,” Delpit said of Pickens on Thursday.

Browns Respect George Pickens as Receiving Threat

While the trash talk is fun, there’s still a game to be played within the lines. The Steelers are eyeing the AFC North crown and a playoff berth. The Browns are eager to play spoiler.

Pickens is a big part of Pittsburgh’s offense. He leads the team with 850 yards on 55 receptions. He’s found the end zone three times.

“ He’s a contested catch player where he’s always open,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said of Pickens. “The quarterback always feels like he’s open. He can throw it into coverage and they feel like he’s going to come down with the ball. They’ve expanded his routes and where he’s running them, how he’s running them throughout this offense this season. So he’s a very big challenge. You have to understand where he is at all times.”

The Steelers are listed as a 6.5-point home favorite for the matchup. The total for the matchup is set at 43.5 points.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Steelers WR George Pickens’ Latest Comment on Browns Has Everyone Talking appeared first on Heavy Sports.

The Browns won the season’s first matchup in upset fashion, 24-19, in the snow. The game ended with Pickens and Browns cornerback Greg Newsome trading shoves in the back of the end zone. Neither player was fined for the incident.

Newsome went to social media after the matchup, calling Pickens a “fake tough guy.” In the other locker room, Pickens gave the Browns no credit for the win.

“Conditions played a huge, huge part in today’s game,” Pickens said after the loss. “I don’t really think the Cleveland Browns are a good team at all. I think the conditions kind of saved them today.”

Browns safety Grant Delpit also got into an exchange with Pickens. Delpit was flagged for snatching Pickens’ mouthguard and throwing it. He doesn’t plan to let the Steelers receiver’s antics get in the way this time.

“We do what we do. Let him do what he does. Let him be bad,” Delpit said of Pickens on Thursday.

Browns Respect George Pickens as Receiver

While Pickens is prone to some unpredictable behavior on the field, the Browns respect what he’s able to bring as a receiver. Pickens has 55 catches for 850 yards and three touchdowns this season.

“Having faced him a bunch of times now, last few years, he’s a challenge in the past game like you mentioned. He’s a contested catch player where he’s always open,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said of Pickens. “The quarterback always feels like he’s open. He can throw it into coverage and they feel like he’s going to come down with the ball. They’ve expanded his routes and where he’s running them, how he’s running them throughout this offense this season. So he’s a very big challenge. You have to understand where he is at all times.”

The Browns were able to neutralize Pickens for the most part in their first matchup. He had four catches for 48 yards.

Steelers WR George Pickens Told to ‘Tone it Down’

Pickens was up to his antics in a 44-38 victory last week. He was flagged twice for unsportsmanlike conduct, drawing a message from his head coach.

“He’s just got to grow up, man,” Tomlin told reporters, via ESPN. “This is an emotional game, man. These divisional games are big. He got a target on his back because he’s George, he understands that. But he’s got to grow up. He’s got to grow up in a hurry.”

Former All-Pro receiver Steve Smith echoed that sentiment during a recent appearance on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take.”

“He got to tone it down a little bit, just cause people are talking about it. And I’ve been a guy that understands when people are talking about you like that, and it’s going to be this assumed disposition about you,” Smith said. “People are going to believe what they see or believe what some other people may say even though the context may not be all aligned.”

The Steelers are a 6.5-point favorite against the Browns for the AFC North clash.

Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Browns Send Message to George Pickens Ahead of Rematch appeared first on Heavy Sports.