Tag: Rodney McLeod

Browns S Rodney McLeod ready for ‘one last lap’ in 2024

The veteran safety hints that the 2024 season will be his last.

After re-signing with the Cleveland Browns, veteran safety Rodney McLeod hints that the 2024 season will be his last as well.

McLeod is entering the 2024 season at the age of 34 and on the heels of a biceps injury that ended his 2023 season and required surgery. Suppose this truly is the end of the line for McLeod. In that case, he will go down as a Super Bowl champion, Alan Page award winner, and a consistent contributor throughout his 13-year NFL career with the St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, and Browns.

McLeod took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his excitement to return to the Dawg Pound, but added another note:

“Beyond grateful to run it back in Cleveland for one last lap!!!”

While the young safeties D’Anthony Bell and Ronnie Hickman Jr. filled in well for McLeod in his absence, there is a level of security with having the sturdy veteran on the field with Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill.

Joining the likes of defensive end Za’Darius Smith and defensive tackles Maurice Hurst and Shelby Harris, the Browns are set to run it back with the league’s best defense from a year ago.

Veteran S Rodney McLeod officially back with Browns in 2024

The vet is back!

While NFL rumors indicated the Cleveland Browns and veteran safety Rodney McLeod were close to a reunion in 2024, the two have officially agreed to a new deal today.

McLeod was a crucial piece to the puzzle in the secondary’s transition under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Playing under Schwartz in Philadelphia, McLeod brought a level of professionalism and leadership to that unit a year ago.

Suffering a season-ending bicep injury near the end of last season, however, it did not seem likely that McLeod would be ready to go in 2024. However, time cannot keep the old man down as he will be back in Cleveland again this next season.

McLeod joins the likes of Za’Darius Smith, Shelby Harris, and Maurice Hurst to return to a Cleveland defense that was the best in the league a year ago. With Juan Thornhill and Grant Delpit both under contract as well, the Browns have retained their entire safety room from a year ago.

Report: Browns and S Rodney McLeod are close to new deal

The Browns are close to retaining another of their own.

As the Cleveland Browns continue to trek along through free agency, the newest NFL rumor is that they are close to retaining another of their own in safety Rodney McLeod.

The safety signed with the Browns on a one-year last year, predominantly due to his connection to defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. However, the soon-to-be 34-year-old suffered a season-ending tear to his biceps. Given his age and the nature of his injury, one that required surgery, there were many skeptical this could be it for McLeod.

He is fighting back, however, and now looks primed for another one-year deal. This would lead to the Browns retaining their entire safety room from a year ago. McLeod’s former teammate under Schwartz in Philadelphia, linebacker Jordan Hicks, was recently signed by the Browns on a two-year deal as well.

With so few holes to fill in free agency in the first place, the Browns have done excellent work to retain the majority of their talent that hit the open market. McLeod looks to be next on that list.

Former Eagles safety Rodney McLeod trolled Bill Belichick after Patriots exit with Super Bowl 52 reminder

Okay, this was very funny.

Cleveland Browns safety Rodney McLeod got perhaps the best trolling in at former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick after he exited the franchise on Thursday.

McLeod was a part of the Philadelphia Eagles team that beat the Patriots in Super Bowl 52, and McLeod used a photo of him celebrating with his former Philadelphia teammates while Belichick was walking by to send him off.

McLeod called it “the only photo I have of myself and Belichick!”

Whew, now that’s a funny way to wish the greatest NFL coach of all time well before his next coaching stop in the league.

While we’re not sure where Belichick will coach next, we are sure that McLeod’s social media post made us chuckle.

We’ll see how Belichick transitions into this next phase of his career, and we commend McLeod for finding an inspired way to lightly poke at Belichick during one of the more historic moments in the NFL lately.

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Browns S Rodney McLeod makes a statement after season-ending injury

The veteran safety has released a statement

After getting stellar play out of the 12-year veteran safety, a player brought in due to his familiarity with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, the Cleveland Browns lost safety Rodney McLeod for the season due to a torn bicep. As a result, expect to see more of undrafted free agent safety Ronnie Hickman.

Hopefully, this is not the end of McLeod, a player who would be welcome back in 2024 if he is healthy and wants to return to Cleveland. However, after his injury, the veteran safety has released a statement after he had successful surgery on his torn bicep suffered against the Pittsburgh Steelers:

“Disappointment, frustration, anger are all valid emotions as my 2023 season comes to an end. However I am thankful for this season of gratitude to reflect on the blessings God has provided over my 12 year career.”

Best wishes and best of luck to McLeod as he fights back from this season-ending injury.

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S Rodney McLeod Jr. leaves game with biceps injury

Cleveland Browns safety Rodney McLeod Jr. exited the Pittsburgh Steelers game with a biceps injury.

Cleveland Browns safety Rodney McLeod Jr. left the Week 11 game during the fourth quarter with an injury. McLeod was injured while attempting to tackle Steelers running back Jaylen Warren. McLeod immediately went to the medical tent after the play with a biceps injury. McLeod has been ruled out of the game.

McLeod started in place of Juan Thornhill, who missed the game with an injury. Undrafted free agent Ronnie Hickman Jr. from Ohio State will finish the game for McLeod. The Browns need good play from Hickman as the Steelers’ running backs are marching down the field against the Cleveland Browns. The game is currently tied 10-10 with 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

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Browns Injury Report: Denzel Ward returns to practice, Dawand Jones remains out Wednesday

The Browns get set to take on the Steelers shorthanded at QB and at RT with Dawand Jones. However, Denzel Ward returned to practice.

The Cleveland Browns got some devastating injury news on Wednesday, as it was announced that quarterback Deshaun Watson will miss the rest of the season with a broken shoulder. That is not the only concern with the Steelers on deck as right tackle Dawand Jones remains sidelined. On a bright note, however, cornerback Denzel Ward was a limited participant in practice as the Browns get set to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers despite leaving the game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Ward is not the only player to show up on the injury list, however, as there is a laundry list from Wednesday’s practice. A handful of players were resting on the first day of practice this week, so a bit of sifting through the names has to be done.

Here is the long list of players who did not practice or practiced on a limited basis as the Browns look to advance to 7-3 on the season against the Steelers on Sunday with an opportunity to take hold of the top spot in the AFC North.

Browns safety Juan Thornhill exits Ravens game with calf injury

Cleveland Browns safety Juan Thornhill left the Ravens game with a calf injury.

Cleveland Browns safety Juan Thornhill exited Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens at the start of the third quarter.

Thornhill was injured after making a touchdown-saving tackle against Ravens receiver Zay Flowers. Thornhill was quickly rushed to the medical tent while Flowers limped off the field. Thornhill is currently in the locker room with a calf injury. He is questionable to return.

Thornhill was a key addition to the defense this offseason. The safety has helped lead the Browns’ defense to a historically great start. Cleveland needs Thornhill back. The defense gave up a long touchdown pass to former Browns and current Ravens receiver Odell Beckham Jr. immediately after he exited the game.

The Browns have replaced Thornhill with Rodney McLeod Jr., another veteran leader. Cleveland’s defense needs to play much better as the defensive backfield has suffered multiple injuries during the Ravens game.

Cornerback Denzel Ward was previously ruled out with a neck injury he sustained during the first quarter.

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Watch: Browns’ player podcast interviews GM Andrew Berry

The Cleveland Browns podcast Dawgs Only hosted by Anthony Walker Jr. and Rodney McLeod Jr. interview General Manager Andrew Berry.

The Cleveland Browns released the latest episode of their player-run podcast Dawgs Only. The podcast featured Anthony Walker Jr. and Rodney McLeod Jr. hosting general manager Andrew Berry. The remixed episode let two veteran leaders ask Berry the questions for the change. It’s not every day one gets to interview the boss, but the duo does a great job of getting to know the man behind the desk. The GM was able to tell the story of his football journey.

The 36-year-old GM found enjoyment in roster construction at a young age after competing against his identical twin brother in fantasy-styled sporting games. Berry’s football journey would take him to Harvard to play cornerback before an unsuccessful tryout in the NFL would push him toward a front-office role. Starting as an office grunt, Berry quickly rose through the ranks of the Colts and Eagles organizations. He shared stories about compiling scouting reports for Peyton Manning in Indianapolis. 

Berry spoke a lot about the importance of family in helping him succeed in his career. He made sure to include his former mentor, Howie Roseman, the General Manager of the Eagles, when speaking of family. It’s interesting to hear Berry talk about his close bond with a peer and a professional adversary. 

The hour-long chat isn’t always a deep exploration of Andrew Berry’s character. The group had a lot of fun during the discussion. At one point, McLeod and Walker get Andrew Berry to publicly challenge Myles Garrett to a mini-game played in the facility. Myles Garrett would be the last person I want to challenge in any game. But what do I know? I’m not a Harvard graduate. I do know every Browns fan should check out the podcast.

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Watch: Browns players podcast interviews JOK and Ogbo Okoronkwo about NFL Africa and more

The Cleveland Browns released the latest episode of the Dawgs Only podcast. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo discuss their outreach projects in Africa and fashion with Anthony Walker Jr. and Rodney McLeod Jr.

The Cleveland Browns released the latest episode of their player-run podcast “Dawgs Only.” The podcast featured Anthony Walker Jr. and Rodney McLeod Jr. hosting Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Ogbo Okoronkwo. The podcast does a great job of showcasing who the players are as human beings. Owusu-Koramoah and Okoronkwo share their experiences with NFL Africa, a program created by NFL great Osi Umenyiora to foster the growth of football in Africa.

The two remain close to the continent as Owusu-Koramoah’s extended family lives in Ghana and Okoronkwo’s extended family in Nigeria. The two discuss their cultures, food, and styles, including Owusu-Koramoah’s global south-inspired pregame fits. 

Okoronkwo is no slouch when it comes to fashion. He knows how to throw fits. The Pharrell Williams-inspired artist is quite the dapper Dan. He worked at New York Fashion Week as a photographer for Essence last winter. Okoronkwo is a photographer in his spare time. The defensive end is in New York City during the bye-week for his second gallery show. 

The Dawgs Only podcast does a fantastic job of showing fans the face inside the helmet. Their prior episode included Joe Thomas, Joel Bitonio, and Wyatt Teller. The podcast is a must-listen for any Browns fan. Check out this episode on YouTube. 

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