Tag: Cleveland

Reports: Browns to interview Mike McDaniel for HC job

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Fired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins on Thursday, Mike McDaniel will interview for the same position with the Cleveland Browns on Monday, multiple media outlets reported on Sunday.

McDaniel, 42, went 7-10 this season and posted a 35-33 record over four seasons, which included a pair of postseason appearances in his first two years with Miami. He signed a three-year contract extension in August 2024.

McDaniel — the Browns’ wide receivers coach in 2014 — will be Cleveland’s lone head coach interview on Monday and the sixth overall. Two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski was dismissed last Monday after posting a 45-56 record over six seasons and leading the Browns to the playoffs twice.

The Browns have interviewed their offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, along with Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken, Seattle Seahawks DC Aden Durde and Cincinnati Bengals OC Dan Pitcher.

They’ve also reportedly requested an interview with Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhause.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (13) breaks a tackle by Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Report: Browns LB Carson Schwesinger has high ankle sprain

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Testing confirmed a high ankle sprain for Cleveland Browns rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger, ESPN reported Monday.

Schwesinger, who leads Cleveland with 64 tackles, was injured during Sunday’s setback at New England and could be sidelined for four or more weeks. He was wearing a boot on his right leg after the game.

Coach Kevin Stefanski said rookie running back Quinshon Judkins is day-to-day with a shoulder injury (AC joint sprain) that also forced him to leave the game early.

Judkins, who turns 22 on Wednesday, has rushed for 486 yards and five touchdowns and added 12 catches for 60 yards in seven games (all starts) this season. He had nine carries for 19 yards on Sunday.

Schwesinger, 22, recorded his first career interception and five tackles in the 32-13 loss to the Patriots. The injury occurred midway through the fourth quarter when teammate Isaiah McGuire appeared to roll into his leg.

Schwesinger has started all eight games for the Browns (2-6), adding one sack, three QB hits and four tackles for loss.

Schwesinger (33rd) and Judkins (36th) were both drafted in the second round this year.

The Browns have a bye this week.

–Field Level Media

Nov 21, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A grounds crew member shovels snow off the yard lines during the third quarter between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Typhoon conditions in Cleveland? Wild forecast for matchup of 1-5 teams

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Potential for challenging weather conditions on Sunday during the Browns-Dolphins matchup are increasing, with forecast models indicating sustained 25 mph winds and torrential downpours for the matchup of 1-5 teams on Sunday afternoon.

Wind gusts could reach 50 mph during the game and thunderstorms are possible according to AccuWeather.

Temperatures and humidity are likely to drop before sunrise and settle in the low 60s by the 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Heavy rain is expected starting at 4 a.m.

Weather Underground projects the rain chances at 90% on Sunday.

Will either offense show up?

Points have been a challenge for Cleveland. The Browns have eight total touchdowns in six games and 34 of the team’s 82 total points this season are courtesy of kicker Austin Szmyt.

Even after kicking a 53-yard field goal and making all three of his attempts on dicey footing at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh last week, the Browns are planning for the possibility of things being worse this week.

“I don’t know if you can do anything to truly recreate that type of situation,” said Bubba Ventrone, Browns associate head coach and special teams coordinator. “We work wet ball stuff with our operation. I know we’ll do that here later this week with our offense and defensive players. And then, honestly, I think that you prepare your team through these, I would say weather situations that can happen by practicing outside, practicing in the elements, practicing in the wind, the rain, the snow, all that stuff. Because ultimately you’re going to play in it at some point. So I think all the training that you’re doing in off season program training camp and have the opportunity to practice in those elements help you in those.”

Passing could be difficult for both teams with undersized touch passers Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins) and Browns rookie Dillon Gabriel. Both teams rank in the bottom five in the NFL in rushing. Miami is No. 27, one spot ahead of the Browns, who average 90.7 rushing yards per game and rank 31st (next-to-last) in net yards per pass play with a 4.3-yard average. The Browns are also No. 31 in yards per play at 4.1.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said his charges are still wary of the Dolphins’ passing game because of Tagovailoa’s penchant for a quick trigger. NFL Next Gen Stats put Tagovailoa’s release time at 2.7 seconds from snap to release.

“It’s a really nice marriage of the scheme and his skill set, with how quickly he gets the ball out, how accurate he is when he gets the ball out,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I think he sees it really clearly. He can get the ball to all areas of the field and get the ball in the hands of the playmakers.”

But if Sunday’s weather forecast holds water and the field becomes soggy with gusty winds, Cleveland might get the edge from its defense.

The Browns are No. 3 in the NFL allowing 262.3 yards per game and 79.7 rushing yards per game. They lead the NFL in limiting opponents to 3.08 yards per carry this season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; A general view of the Cleveland Browns helmets on the field before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

Browns, city of Cleveland reach $100m deal for new Brook Park stadium move

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After an extended legal battle, the city of Cleveland and the Haslem Sports Group, owners of the Cleveland Browns, announced Monday that they have reached an agreement that will allow the team to build a new domed stadium in nearby suburb Brook Park.

As part of the deal, HSG agreed to pay $100 million to the city of Cleveland to cover the cost of the demolition of the current lakefront stadium in downtown Cleveland and “accelerate the lakefront transformation and prepare the current lakefront stadium site for redevelopment and the City’s commitment to support the continuing progress and timely completion of the Browns’ future home in Brook Park,” according to a press release announcing the deal.

“I’m proud to deliver this historic deal to the residents of the City of Cleveland,” Cleveland mayor Justin Bibb said via statement. “My administration, with the Haslams’ support, will finally unlock the full potential of our lakefront, benefiting all residents and attracting new investment to the City.”

The terms of the deal dictate that HSG will pay the city a lump sum of $25 million by Dec. 1, 2025, pay for the demolition of Huntington Bank Stadium to a pad-ready state (an estimated cost of $30 million), make annual $5 million payments from 2029 through 2033 and invest no less than $2 million for each of the 10 years after termination of the lease into a community benefits project.

Additionally, the agreement states that both parties will voluntarily dismiss all lawsuits related to the move with prejudice.

After the Browns announced plans last October to build a $2.4 billion stadium in Brook Park when their current stadium lease ends at the end of the 2028 season, the city of Cleveland sued the Browns in January, citing the “Modell Law.”

That Ohio law, created in the wake of owner Arthur Modell moving the former Cleveland Browns to Baltimore in 1995, states that any professional sports owner that uses a taxpayer-subsidized facility must offer the opportunity to buy the team to the city or local buyers before moving.

The Browns counter-sued, arguing that the law was unconstitutional.

The current stadium will be demolished at the end of the 2028 season. The team plans on breaking ground on the new stadium in 2026 to prepare for a 2029 opening.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) runs the ball against Cleveland Browns defense during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Steelers defense shines, hold Browns out of endzone in wire-to-wire win

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Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes as the Pittsburgh Steelers topped the visiting Cleveland Browns 23-9 on Sunday afternoon.

Rodgers (21-of-30 for 235 yards) found Connor Heyward and DK Metcalf for second-half touchdowns, while Chris Boswell kicked three field goals for Pittsburgh. Jalen Ramsey had two of the Steelers’ six sacks.

Dillon Gabriel was 29-of-52 for 221 yards for Cleveland, which has not won a regular-season game in Pittsburgh since 2003. The Browns managed only 248 total yards of offense, including 81 yards on Harold Fannin Jr.’s seven receptions, as they still have not scored more than 17 points in a game this season.

Rodgers and Darnell Washington hooked up for a 36-yard pass on the second play of the game, leading to Boswell’s 44-yard field goal.

The Steelers tacked on two more field goals in the second quarter before the Browns finally got on the board on Andre Szmyt’s 31-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.

However, Cleveland was unable to carry over any momentum into the third quarter, as the team went three-and-out to open the second half.

Pittsburgh cashed in on its ensuing possession, driving 79 yards to the end zone. Rodgers sprinted out right before finding a well-covered Heyward for a 12-yard score.

Szmyt responded with a 53-yard kick for the Browns before the Steelers came back with another touchdown to take a 23-6 lead. Rodgers found Roman Wilson (12 yards) and Washington (14 yards) for nice gains during the drive, and then Metcalf got open down the right sideline for a 25-yard score on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Gabriel and the Browns then compiled an 18-play drive, but they had to settle for Szmyt’s 32-yard field goal to get within 23-9 with 9:29 left.

Boswell slipped on a field-goal attempt with under four minutes to go, keeping it a two-possession game. Cleveland drove into the red zone in the waning minutes, but Gabriel’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) warms up before the game between the Browns and the Green Bay Packers at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Browns elevate QB Shedeur Sanders to backup role

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Shedeur Sanders will back up fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel when Cleveland visits the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Friday.

Sanders, the son of Colorado head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, ascended to the No. 2 spot following this week’s trade of veteran Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Inactive for the first five games, Sanders was buried on the depth chart two months ago before Cleveland parted ways with Kenny Pickett (traded to Las Vegas Raiders), Tyler Huntley (released) and Flacco.

“I’m overly confident within myself,” Sanders said Thursday, per ESPN. “I know when I first got here I’m ready to play, but that’s up to the coaches and whatever decision they make, I’m fine with it.”

The Browns (1-4) are already 0-2 in the AFC North heading into this Week 6 clash with the division-leading Steelers (3-1).

Sanders, a projected first-round pick, slipped to the fifth round in April’s draft where the Browns grabbed him with the 144th pick — 50 spots after taking Gabriel in the third round.

Gabriel, 24, made his first NFL start last weekend in London and completed 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards with two touchdowns in a 21-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Sanders, 23, was the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year last season with the Buffaloes. He completed 74 percent of his passes for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns and rushed for four scores in 13 games.

Cleveland’s once overcrowded quarterback room now includes Bailey Zappe (practice squad) and Deshaun Watson (PUP list).

–Field Level Media

Jul 23, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots guard Cole Strange (69) walks to the practice field for training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Dolphins sign G Cole Strange from Browns’ practice squad

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Miami Dolphins on Tuesday signed guard Cole Strange, a former first-round pick, to the active roster off the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad.

The Dolphins placed James Daniels, who started at right guard in the team’s 33-8 loss at Indianapolis on Sunday, on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury.

Strange, 27, was released on Aug. 26 by the New England Patriots, who visit the Dolphins this Sunday. Two days later, Strange signed with the Browns to their practice squad.

New England selected Strange 29th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Strange played in only 30 games (29 starts) in his three seasons.

Strange started all 17 games as a rookie but was limited to 10 games — all starts — in 2023 because of a knee injury. He also missed the first 14 games of last season still recovering from the injury.

Daniels, who turns 28 on Sept. 13, is required to miss at least four games.

The Chicago Bears picked Daniels in the second round of the 2018 draft. He has played in 91 career regular-season games (85 starts) at either right guard, left guard or center, for the Bears (2018-21), Pittsburgh Steelers (2022-24) and Dolphins, who signed him as a free agent in March.

–Field Level Media

Jul 28, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (97) during training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Jets acquire DT Jowon Briggs from Browns

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cleveland Browns traded second-year defensive tackle Jowon Briggs to the New York Jets on Wednesday in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Jets also received a seventh-round pick in 2026 that initially belonged to the Buffalo Bills.

Briggs, who turns 24 on Sept. 1, appeared in six games as a rookie in 2024 and made 13 tackles, including one for loss, and two quarterback hits. He also recovered one fumble. He spent most of the season on the practice squad.

The Browns selected Briggs in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Cincinnati.

–Field Level Media

Aug 16, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel warms up before action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Browns rookie QB Dillon Gabriel to start vs. Eagles

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel will start for the Cleveland Browns in Saturday’s preseason game at Philadelphia, the team announced.

Drafted in the third round in April, Gabriel missed the preseason opener with hamstring tightness and returned to practice on Monday.

Fellow rookie signal-caller Shedeur Sanders, who threw two touchdown passes in the Aug. 8 preseason opener at Carolina, will not play against the Eagles due to an oblique injury.

“When it’s a quarterback, you kind of need that muscle to throw,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said of Sanders. “So unfortunately, (it’s) going to put him down for a little bit here. We’ll treat it day to day and see how he responds. But want to be smart because he’s a thrower, so you can’t push that thing.”

Stefanski said veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, 40, is healthy but will not play for the second consecutive week.

With Kenny Pickett working his way back from a hamstring injury and Deshaun Watson likely out for the year with an Achilles injury, that leaves only Gabriel and Tyler Huntley available to take snaps in Philadelphia.

Gabriel was selected 94th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft after putting up big numbers at three college stops: UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon. Still on the board 50 picks later, the Browns chose Sanders to end a well-publicized draft weekend crash from projections of a top-50 draft rating.

Gabriel, 24, said earlier this week that he won’t overthink it if he starts against the reigning Super Bowl champions.

“I try to just stay in the moment. I’ll look forward to that moment once it comes and be right where my feet are,” Gabriel said. “The best competitors know how to stay present and be themselves by competing at a high level one play at a time.”

Gabriel completed 65.2 percent of his passes for 18,722 yards with 155 touchdowns and 32 interceptions across 64 games in college from 2019-24. He rushed for 1,209 yards and 33 scores.

–Field Level Media

May 10, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Browns rookie RB Quinshon Judkins won’t face misdemeanor charge

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins will not face any formal charges following his arrest for misdemeanor battery/domestic violence on July 12 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Assistant State Attorney Barbara M. Driscoll issued a memorandum on Thursday declining to charge Judkins.

Judkins, 21, was arrested after the alleged victim came forward on July 12 after alleging that her boyfriend, Judkins, committed battery late on July 7 and early on July 8 during a ride in a rental car from Fort Lauderdale International Airport to their hotel.

“This incident was not captured on any video surveillance,” the decline memorandum said. “There are no independent witnesses to the incident. Although the victim had photos showing injuries sustained, there were also videos in that same time frame where no injuries were observed to the victim. Additionally, the victim’s injuries depicted in the photos could be explained by either account of the incident.

“Finally, there was a delayed report of the incident. The delay is problematic as the victim was alone on numerous occasions without the Defendant, had the ability and resources to make the report without his knowledge, but chose not to do so.

“For the reasons set forth above, there is no reasonable likelihood of conviction and this case is being declined.”

Cleveland selected Judkins in the second round (36th overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft. He is the last player unsigned from the draft.

“We have been following developments in the matter which remains under review,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said to media outlets.

Judkins had 194 carries for 1,060 yards and 14 touchdowns and caught 22 passes for 161 yards and two TDs in 16 games last season as Ohio State won the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Ohio State defeated Notre Dame 34-23 in the title game as Judkins rushed 11 times for 100 yards and two TDs and caught a 6-yard TD pass.

In three seasons at Ole Miss (2022-23) and Ohio State, Judkins totaled 739 carries for 3,785 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and 45 TDs, and had 59 receptions for 442 yards and five scores.

–Field Level Media