Cleveland

Browns

Sampson (5'8/200) totaled both the fourth-most offensive touches (278) and missed tackles forced (83) among Power Five running backs last season, despite his compact frame. He is not guaranteed a year one role with Quinshon Judkins set to start and Jerome Ford still in-house but Sampson should be on re-draft radars as a player to watch in training camp. The Browns announced Sampson’s signing in conjunction with second-round pick LB Carson Schwesinger. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Schwesinger became just “the second second-round pick in NFL history to have a fully guaranteed deal.”

Berry stopped short of officially ruling out a reunion, saying the Browns are “never going to rule out someone as near and dear to our heart” as Chubb, but a “return is less likely, at least in the short term.” Berry intends to see “how the roles shake out in the running back room” with rookies Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson joining veteran Jerome Ford, who the Browns think “plays a role.” Judkins currently slots in as Chubb’s early-down replacement and Sampson profiles as Ford’s long-term backup as a rotation rusher and passing-down specialist. Per ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi, Berry encouragingly said, “Chubb’s broken foot has healed and is not a concern,” so Chubb should be able to pass a physical if another team comes calling.

Johnson’s deal with Cleveland is the veteran minimum of $1.17 million for 2025. Johnson, 28, has played or talked his way off of several teams over the past two years, including the Panthers, Ravens, and Texans. A consistent target commander in the short areas of the field, Johnson has amassed 424 catches for 4,738 yards and 28 touchdowns in his six-year NFL career and could make an immediate impact in the Browns offense alongside Jerry Jeudy if he remains in good standing with the Cleveland coaching staff this summer.

Further details on the matter have not yet been released. Per the police report, Bush is awaiting preliminary arraignment. The Browns re-signed Bush to a one-year, $3.25 million contract in early March, following a 50-tackle season with the team in 2024.

Entering the final year of his rookie deal, Ford was set to earn up to $3.4 million in 2025. Now, the fourth-year vet will get a guaranteed $1.75 million this season and likely has his roster spot secured for the year. Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot points out the signing likely spells the end for Nick Chubb’s time with the Browns. In addition to Ford, the Browns also have rookies Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson on the roster, who have a chance to emerge as the team’s top two backs this season. Chubb recently posted a workout video online, likely to generate interest after remaining unsigned through the NFL Draft, but any hope of a return to Cleveland seem over. The 29-year-old struggled last season after returning from a devastating knee injury that ended his 2023 campaign, rushing 102 times for 332 yards and three scores while averaging a career-worst 3.3 YPC. Chubb may need to settle for a one-year team-friendly deal if he hopes to play anywhere in 2025.

Cleveland placed the rarely-used free agent tender on Moore earlier this week, allowing the Browns to potentially net a compensatory pick if he signed elsewhere. Moore’s visit with the Bills proved fruitful, and he will now play for “up to” $5 million. Moore struggled to find his footing after the Jets traded him to Cleveland, and he went for a measly 538 yards in 2024. He will now get another chance to reset things in Buffalo, but Moore is far from a guarantee for playing time with the Bills.

If the season started tomorrow, in Kay Cabot’s estimation, the starter would be Kenny Pickett. She says that the Browns made clear to Pickett that he “could control his own destiny with a stellar performance” when they traded Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick to the Eagles. This, of course, does not mean that Sanders can’t make the Browns. Neither of the other three quarterbacks in the room have any recent NFL success to hang their hat on — the closest thing is Joe Flacco’s performance in 2023 with the Browns. But it does mean that he’s starting at the bottom of the pack.

The former Steeler wasn’t able to carve out a significant role with the Panthers, Ravens, or Texans in 2024 after a 717-yard 2023 season. The Browns apparently saw enough during his visit with the team Monday to sign him to a one-year contract, the details of which have yet to be released. Expect Johnson to start opposite Cedric Tillman on the perimeter while Jerry Jeudy works the slot.

Johnson had a forgettable 2024, to put it mildly. The former Steelers receiver saw himself traded to the Panthers last offseason only to later be traded to the Ravens, where his lack of playing time eventually led to his release. He then found his way to the wide receiver-needy Texans, who rostered him for just over three weeks. He was then claimed off waivers by the Ravens but was not eligible to play during the postseason. Now a free agent, Johnson, 28, has not enjoyed the market many expected him to see this time last year. He’s a productive receiver who has amassed 424 catches for 4,738 yards and 28 touchdowns in his six-year career, but it goes without saying that he’s likely in brand rebuilding mode as far as this offseason is concerned. This is the first visit we’ve heard of for Johnson, who may meet with other teams before signing.