Tag: Cleveland Browns

Browns sign OG Wyatt Davis, waive DT Jayden Peevy

The former Ohio State standout will battle for a roster spot

On Thursday, the Cleveland Browns wrapped up their voluntary OTA practices with mandatory minicamp kicking off next week. The Browns made a roster move on Friday, waiving defensive tackle Jayden Peevy to make room for former Ohio State standout guard Wyatt Davis.

Davis was originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2021 draft. He has appeared in nine games with four different teams and spent last year on injured reserve with the New York Giants.

The former Ohio State Buckeye is only 25 years old and could provide some quality depth if he makes the roster. Cleveland has added a ton of options on the offensive line, both inside and outside, so making the roster at guard or tackle will not be easy.

Davis will now compete with undrafted free agent Javion Cohen and veteran Michael Dunn for a spot backing up two of the better guards in football in 2024.

Former Ohio State All-American signed by the Cleveland Browns

Cleveland is becoming Ohio State north #GoBucks

The Cleveland Browns have signed former Ohio State guard, Wyatt Davis, after waiving defensive tackle Jayden Peevy. Davis was a stalwart on the OSU offensive line from 2017-2020 and was named a unanimous All-American selection after the 2020 season.

The former Buckeye was selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings but couldn’t seem to find his footing in Minnesota after being a day-two draft pick. He appeared in only six games with the Vikings during his rookie season before being cut.

In 2022, Davis played in one game each with the New Orleans Saints, the Arizona Cardinals, and the New York Giants. He did not play in 2023.

The Browns are fairly deep at the guard position with the addition of Michigan’s Zak Zinter in the draft and undrafted free agent Javion Cohen from Miami. Davis should compete for the third-string job but faces an uphill battle after missing a year.

The Browns now have six former Buckeyes on their roster. Davis joins cornerback Denzel Ward, center Luke Wypler, offensive tackle Dawand Jones, safety Ronnie Hickman, and defensive lineman Mike Hall Jr.

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Browns tryout OL William Barnes with mandatory minicamp on deck

The Browns hosted an undrafted rookie offensive lineman for a tryout.

With OTAs now in the rearview mirror, the Cleveland Browns are continuing to progress through their offseason workout schedule.

However, before they get to mandatory minicamp next week, the Browns are bringing in undrafted rookie offensive lineman William Barnes for a tryout (according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson). The room is already crowded, so barring an injury the pathway toward Barnes earning a roster spot is slim.

While Barnes went undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft, he brings a world of versatility to the NFL level. Through his five years with the Tar Heels, Barnes started 22 games. The catch? He started games at all of right guard, right tackle, left guard, and left tackle.

His success was not extraordinarily documented though, grading out on the poor end of the scale in all of the overall grade, pass blocking, and run blocking according to PFF.

However, The Browns do not have a roster spot, so they would need to make another move on their 90-man roster to bring Barnes in.

Former Browns quarterback P.J. Walker signs with the Seattle Seahawks

After a year with the Browns, Walker heads out west

Veteran quarterback P.J. Walker joined the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad last year as the emergency quarterback in case of injury. The Browns ultimately turned to Walker after Deshaun Watson’s injury, and though he wasn’t great overall, he had his moments.

Against the Colts on the road, the Browns needed a big drive to win the game, and Walker made some big-time throws to make that drive come true. Against one of the best teams in football, the 49ers, Walker led multiple scoring drives in the fourth quarter for a massive win in Cleveland.

The plays Walker made in key moments helped the Browns make the playoffs with big wins early in the season. Ultimately, he struggled overall, and if you have to rely on him for extended periods of time, you will be in a tough spot.

Walker now heads out west after signing a contract to become a member of the Seattle Seahawks. The Browns have mandatory minicamp next week before their summer break that ends when training camp starts.

Browns Podcast: The culture change fans have desired is finally in place

Cleveland finally has stability in place

For the first time in what feels like forever, the Cleveland Browns have extended their head coach and general manager duo. Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry have done what a ton have tried and been unable to do; they have built a winning culture that is set up for sustained success.

This all started during the 2020 season, which brought on a level of adversity that the league had never seen. This regime didn’t blink, instead turning a six-win team into an 11-win playoff team. Cleveland accomplished this with no real off-season workouts and no preseason. They just hit the ground running and won football games.

It also seems likely that the two are no longer completely tied to the success of Deshaun Watson after what they showed last season with all the injuries and adversity they overcame. You can hear more about the changes that these extensions represent by checking out our latest episode by clicking here.

Seahawks reportedly planning to sign former Panthers QB PJ Walker

Former Panthers QB PJ Walker is expected to sign with the Seahawks.

According to ESPN’s Brady Henderson, the Seattle Seahawks are planning to sign former Carolina Panthers quarterback PJ Walker. The deal, per Henderson, is waiting to be sealed by a physical—which is set to take place on Sunday.

Walker cracked into the NFL following a relatively productive college career at Temple University from 2013 to 2016. The Elizabeth, N.J. native still stands as the program’s all-time leader in wins by a starting quarterback, passing yards, passing touchdowns, completions, attempts, total yards and total touchdowns.

The Indianapolis Colts signed Walker as an undrafted free agent in May of 2017. He’d go on to bounce back and forth between the team’s practice squad and free agency into the 2019 campaign.

It wasn’t until 2020, during his five-game run for the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks, when Walker really began to turn heads. The COVID-shortened season saw him lead Houston to a 5-0 mark with 1,338 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and four interceptions.

That stint helped Walker back into the NFL, where the Carolina Panthers and his former Temple head coach Matt Rhule awaited him. He went on to appear in 15 games for the Panthers between 2020 and 2022—recording seven starts, 1,461 passing yards, five touchdowns and 11 picks.

Last spring, Walker signed a two-year pact with the Chicago Bears—who’d eventually cut him in August. He then joined the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad just days later and ended up playing in six games this past season.

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Browns sign safety Brady Breeze after a tryout at rookie mini-camp

The Browns have filled their empty roster spot

The Cleveland Browns had an empty roster after they waived kicker Lucas Havrisik on Tuesday afternoon. That roster spot has been filled after the team signed safety Brady Breeze, who participated in the team’s rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis.

Breeze, who was drafted by the Titans in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft, has a connection with advisor Mike Vrabel and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. He has appeared in 11 games in the NFL but hasn’t played many defensive snaps.

It will be a battle for Breeze to make the roster in a room that includes Grant Delpit, Rodney McLeod, Juan Thornhill, and a pair of former undrafted free agents who earned roster spots in the past two training camps.

One fun thing to look forward to this training camp is what the influence of Mike Vrabel has on the defense, as he likely mixes in some of the things he did so well in Houston and Tennessee.

GM Andrew Berry, head coach Kevin Stefanski sign extensions with Browns

GM Andrew Berry, head coach Kevin Stefanski sign extensions with #Browns:

The Cleveland Browns are keeping their front office in place for the first time since their return in 1999.

The team has announced that general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski have been signed to contract extensions:

Browns ownership released this statement via the team’s website following the announcement:

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry leading the Cleveland Browns,” principal owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said. “Since the day they were hired, each has worked tirelessly to help the Cleveland Browns win.

“We are proud of what they and the team have achieved, but Kevin and Andrew would be the first to say that Browns fans deserve even more. Their leadership, collaborative approach, and ability to overcome obstacles bode well for the future of this franchise.”

Stefanski and Berry were both hired in the early portions of the 2020 offseason. Stefanski has the most wins (37) and highest winning percentage (.552) of any Cleveland head coach since the franchise’s return.

The length of the extensions have yet to be announced.

Stefanski’s reaction can be found below:

 

Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam release statements on the extensions of Andrew Berry, Kevin Stefanski

Ownership has heaped praise onto the duo.

Following the contract extensions of head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry by the Cleveland Browns, owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam put out a statement.

Praising the job this regime has done in the four seasons since they took the reins in Cleveland, the ownership group had this to say:

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry leading the Cleveland Browns… Since the day they were hired, each has worked tirelessly to help the Cleveland Browns win. We are proud of what they and the team have achieved, but Kevin and Andrew would be the first to say that Browns fans deserve even more. Their leadership, collaborative approach, and ability to overcome obstacles bode well for the future of this franchise… Last season was a prime example… Despite facing multiple player injuries and using five different starting quarterbacks, Andrew and his staff built a roster that adapted well, while Kevin and his staff led the team to its second playoff appearance in four years, earning Coach of the Year honors for the second time in that period. They are two of the brightest people we know, and selfless people who only care about what is best for the Cleveland Browns. We are thrilled that Kevin and Andrew will remain with the team for the future.”

The Browns are 37-30 with two 11-win seasons and playoff berths under the duo of Stefanski and Berry in their four seasons. The Browns finally have continuity.

Former Browns LB D’Qwell Jackson promoted to pro scout

A promotion for the former star

On Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns promoted former star linebacker D’Qwell Jackson to full-time pro scout. Jackson was originally a second-round pick for the Browns in the 2006 NFL draft. He played for Cleveland from 2006 to 2013 before finishing his career in Indianapolis with the Colts.

Jackson was a tackling machine, finishing with 1,192 tackles throughout a 10-year pro career. In 2021, Cleveland honored the former linebacker by inducting him into the team’s legend program, which honored what he did on the field and in the community.

Last year in Cleveland, Jackson started his front office career, spending 2023 on the player development team before being promoted this week. It’s great to see former players continue to be a part of the team after their career is over and to see the team helping them launch a second career in football.

OTAs continue for the Browns as they approach mandatory minicamp, with training camp just around the corner.