It never clicked for the Cleveland Browns and their free agency addition, defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports the Browns are releasing Jefferson. On the day of the trade deadline, it’s clear that Cleveland could not find any takers and will release their veteran free-agent addition from the offseason. This is after trading Za’Darius Smith, another defensive lineman to the Detroit Lions.
The #Browns are releasing veteran DT Quinton Jefferson, per sources. pic.twitter.com/rBLedEMw3E
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 5, 2024
Jefferson signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Browns in free agency to help solidify interior defensive line depth alongside Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris. He appeared in five games for Cleveland this year but was a healthy scratch for his final four games with the team.
At 2-7, the Browns are using the final day before the trade deadline to move on from players who aren’t in their plans for 2025 and beyond. Moving on from Jefferson and edge rusher Za’Darius Smith opens up snaps to evaluate second-round defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. and defensive end Isaiah McGuire.