CLEVELAND, Ohio — The NFL’s legal tampering period opened on Monday at noon, 52 hours ahead of the start of the new league year, which officially begins at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Browns are not expected to be big-time players in the market, but they have freed up money to get in the mix on using free agency to help rebuild their offensive line and try to add some targets for whoever plays quarterback.
Browns moves
The Browns are signing guard Zion Johnson away from the Chargers on a three-year, $49.5 million deal.
They agreed to acquire O-lineman Tytus Howard from the Texans in exchange for a fifth-round pick. They gave Howard a 3-year, $63 million extension.
They restructured Deshaun Watson’s contract last week, freeing up about $36 million of cap space.
They also did a small restructure of Denzel Ward’s contract.
The Browns are losing linebacker Devin Bush to the Bears for a reported three-year, $30 million deal.
Significant free agent moves and rumors across the NFL
Perhaps the biggest domino, quarterback Malik Willis, is heading to Miami after the Dolphins cut quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Willis is getting a three-year, $67.5 million deal with $45 million fully guaranteed.
Another big domino, and someone the Browns might have had interest in, Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, is signing a three-year, $81 million deal with Las Vegas that includes $60 million guaranteed, the biggest deal for an interior offensive lineman in history.
Tagovailoa, meanwhile, whose dead cap hit of $99.2 million will likely be spread out over two seasons as a post-June 1 cut, is reportedly drawing interest from Kevin Stefanski in Atlanta.
One of the top receivers on the market, Alec Pierce, is staying in Indianapolis on a four-year, $114 million deal. The 25-year-old is coming off his first 1,000-yard season.
Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar is signing a three-year, $24.3 million deal to go to the Chargers. He was a fan favorite as a Browns target.
Pass rusher Odafe Oweh gets big money from the Commanders. It’s a four-year, $100 million deal to leave the Chargers, who acquired him last season.
The Panthers made a big splash, adding Jaelen Phillips on a four-year, $120 million contract. Phillips, 26, has 28 career sacks, mostly with Miami. He ended last season in Philadelphia.
Cleveland native Dre’Mont Jones is going to New England after splitting last season between Tennessee and Baltimore.
Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker is going to Kansas City. The Chiefs upgrade at running back and are also reportedly bringing back their future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce. Walker is getting three years and $45 million, with $28.7 million guaranteed.
Stefanski has added a receiver and tight end to the mix. Olamide Zaccheaus is returning to the Falcons. So is tight end Austin Hooper, who spent time with Stefanski in Cleveland.
The Buccaneers are hanging onto one of their weapons in tight end Cade Otton.
The Steelers are acquiring wide receiver Michael Pittman from the Colts in a deal that includes a late-round pick swap. Pittman, 28, had 80 catches for 784 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Pittman will receive a three-year, $59 million extension.
Tight end Isaiah Likely is leaving Baltimore to rejoin John Harbaugh with the Giants. He’s getting three years and $40 million.
Defensive end Joseph Ossai is getting three years, $36 million from the Jets.
The Titans are signing Mentor alum Mitchell Trubisky.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant, who attended Glenville, is getting a three-year, $40 million deal from the Bears.
Linebacker Alex Anzalone is leaving Detroit for Tampa Bay.
Running back Travis Etienne is signing with New Orleans. It’s a four-year, $52 million contract.
Wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson heads to Tennessee to reunite with their offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll. The former Giants receiver will get $38 million guaranteed on a four-year, $78 million deal.
Six-time Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans is leaving the Bucs after 12 years and signing with the 49ers. He’ll be a great weapon for Brock Purdy. The Browns had inquired about Evans, 32, and he was interested in being reunited with Todd Monken. But the 49ers were likely willing to pay him much more than the Browns were.
Edge rusher Cam Thomas is leaving the Browns to sign with the Falcons on a one-year, $3.1 million deal.
Marcus Mariota is going back to Washington.
The Bengals are getting safety help in the form of Bryan Cook for three years and $40.25 million.
A busy day all around for the Titans. They’re giving former Saints CB Alontae Taylor three years and $60 million. CB Cor’Dale Flott is leaving the Giants to go to Nashville for three years and $45 million.
And the headliner on their defense: Broncos pass rusher John Franklin-Myers is signing in Tennessee for three years and $63 million.
Edge rusher Arden Key is signing a two-year, $20 million deal with the Colts.
Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is signing with the Giants for three years and $36 million.
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