The NFL machine has already been humming, with several trades agreed to and multiple re-signings over the last week.
Things will really get buzzing this week with the arrival of free agency.
The two-day negotiating period starts Monday at noon, which means teams and free agents can agree to contract terms. It won’t take long for deals to be struck.
Then the league year begins Wednesday at 4 p.m., with trades and signings becoming official.
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The Browns should be more active than a year ago, when they were severely constrained by a bloated salary cap situation. But general manager Andrew Berry said he likely won’t be “hyper-aggressive” in free agency until 2027. This season is about developing a young roster and continuing to create cap space.
With a targeted approach and clear needs — nearly all on offense — here are five positions, with a few potential fits, to watch for the Browns this week.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Berry already started transforming the front five by agreeing to a trade with the Texans for Tytus Howard. He’s primarily been a right tackle but has played guard and could move inside if the rest of the lineup dictates.
Plenty of work remains to be done on the line, and Berry will need free agency and the draft.
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While three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum would be a great fit — he could follow coach Todd Monken, coordinator Travis Switzer and line coach George Warhop from Baltimore — the market figures to be too robust for the Browns to land him. Rather, Cleveland could focus on guard, especially with the possibility Joel Bitonio retires.
The Chargers’ Zion Johnson, the Jets’ Alijah Vera-Tucker, Buffalo’s David Edwards and Pittsburgh’s Isaac Seumalo are among the top guard options. Vera-Tucker, the No. 14 pick in 2021, missed last season with a torn triceps.
Money will be a factor in what the Browns do in free agency, including along the line.
While Bitonio’s future remains uncertain, right tackle Jack Conklin, right guard Wyatt Teller and left tackle Cam Robinson are set to leave as free agents.
RECEIVER
Without venturing into the quagmire of quarterback, line and wideout are the biggest positions of need after Berry vowed to spend the majority of his resources this offseason fixing the offense that ranked 31st in scoring.
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Berry is always a threat to make a trade, particularly at receiver after dealing for Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore and Jerry Jeudy in past years. A trade would probably be preferable to free agency, given the cost and lack of top-end talent on the open market. Trades can be difficult to predict, but if the Jaguars were willing to part with former first-round pick Brian Thomas or the Bills with former second-rounder Keon Coleman, Berry would likely be interested.
Among the free agents, Giants slot receiver Wan’Dale Robinson could make sense. He has 93 and 92 catches the last two seasons.
QUARTERBACK
The Browns are unlikely to spend big at the position, choosing instead to see what they have in Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel in 2026. That approach would rule out Green Bay’s Malik Willis, unless the expected market for him doesn’t develop.
Kyler Murray, Geno Smith and Tua Tagovailoa also don’t feel like a fit, but former No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson Sr. could be a different story. He’s only 23 years old, could be available from the Colts for a late pick and wouldn’t be guaranteed anything but a spot in the open competition.
If the Browns don’t add a veteran, they would weigh the options in the draft.
TIGHT END
David Njoku already said goodbye to Browns fans and will hit free agency for the first time since the Browns drafted him in 2017. Harold Fannin Jr. established himself as the No. 1 tight end as a rookie in 2025 but needs help.
The ideal complement would be a strong blocker in the run and pass games, and Monken might have the perfect person. Charlie Kolar, 27, was a fourth-round pick of the Ravens in 2022 but was behind Mark Andrew and Isaiah Likely on the depth chart and caught only 30 passes in four years.
But he’s a big-time blocker at 6-foot-6, 265 pounds and has flashed receiving potential with four touchdowns. He makes a ton of sense if the price is right.
LINEBACKER
Besides Bitonio, Devin Bush is the most important Browns player set to hit free agency — sorry, Corey Bojorquez, a punter can’t qualify.
Bush, 27, may have played himself out of the Browns’ price range with a strong 2025 that included a career-high 125 tackles, three interceptions and two return touchdowns. The Browns would like to keep him, but he seems set to test the market, and that usually means looking for the highest bidder.
If Bush leaves, the top-five defense would have a hole next to NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger. Mohamoud Diabate is a restricted free agent, likely to be tendered at some level and could step into the No. 2 role. Veteran Jerome Baker is set to be an unrestricted free agent, and youngsters Winston Reid and Nathaniel Watson are coming off injuries that cost them all of last season.
If Berry wants a veteran to take over if Bush leaves, Kansas City’s Leo Chenal is scheduled to be a free agent, along with Atlanta’s Kaden Elliss, who played for new Browns coordinator Mike Rutenberg.
Browns writer for The Chronicle-Telegram and The Medina Gazette. Proud graduate of Northwestern University. Husband and stepdad. Avid golfer who needs to hit the range to get down to a single-digit handicap. Right about Johnny Manziel, wrong about Brandon Weeden. Contact Scott at 440-329-7253, or email and follow him on and Twitter.
