News Browns Team Notes

Patriots Drake Maye the next Tom Brady? Opposing defenses have played big role

imagn-27379280.jpg


Getting it out of the way quickly, nothing about this article is an attempt to minimize the opposing quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in Week 8. For the New England Patriots, QB Drake Maye is one of the big reasons HC Mike Vrabel wanted to go back to the team he played for, despite being passed over for the same position the previous year.

For those unaware, Maye is having a great start to his second season in the NFL. The third overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, behind Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels. After an okay rookie season, Maye has completed 75% of his passes this year for 1,744 yards with 12 passing TDs and two interceptions. As an added bonus, Maye has carried the ball 44 times for 200 yards and two touchdowns as well.

Maye’s performance in Week 7 had him toppling Patriots great Tom Brady as he set a franchise record by completing 91.3% of his passes. Maye has been historically good:

Drake Maye is the first player in the history of the NFL with 200+ pass attempts and 50 or fewer incompletions in any 7-game span

— Dante Koplowitz-Fleming (@DanteKopFlem) October 21, 2025

He is also, by a decent margin, the most efficent quarterback in the NFL so far this season:

After slight dropoffs from Jared Goff and Sam Darnold last night, there's a new leader in EPA+CPOE — Drake Maye. pic.twitter.com/jqet23RODK

— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) October 21, 2025

Forget the Brady comparisons, Maye now has people talking about Patrick Mahomes’ performances at a young age as the more apt comparison:

Don’t know if there’s ever been film this good from a 22-23 year old QB. 2018 Mahomes is the only one that comes to mind. Please watch the entire 2:43 of this pic.twitter.com/gkglCqfH5N

— Brady Penn (@bradypenn21) October 20, 2025

Now, all of that positivity doesn’t mean Maye is infallible and the Browns are doomed in Week 8 against New England. In fact, Maye will face the best defense he’s seen all year, by far, when he faces off with Myles Garrett and the rest of Jim Schwartz’s defense:

Drake Maye is awesome. Zero doubt in my mind. It’s also comical the level of defenses he has gotten to face this season. EPA ranks of every defense NE has faced this season:
31, 28, 25 (PIT without Highsmith and Porter), 23, 22, 21, 17 (Carolina). Clearly the Browns will be by…

— Clevta (@Clevta) October 21, 2025

Good versus good is one of the best parts of professional sports. For Browns fans, after watching the slop that was the Miami Dolphins in Week 7, it might be shocking to watch Maye orchestrate the Patriots offense this week. Cleveland’s defense must show up on the road if they want to quiet all the praise being heaped on Maye’s start to the season. For now, Maye’s first seven games have been very good, but the quality of opponent gives a slight pause to crowning the youngster just yet.



Do you think Maye’s start is for real or partially due to the less-than-stellar defenses he’s faced? Do you think the Browns defense will bring him back to earth in Week 8?

Share your thoughts in the comment section below

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleve...-brady-opposing-defenses-have-played-big-role
 
Browns roster: Mason Graham’s dominance is impossible to ignore in 2025

gettyimages-2241953506.jpg


The Cleveland Browns absolutely crushed it in the 2025 NFL Draft, with almost every one of their rookies contributing at a fairly high level this year.

Despite it taking a little bit of time for some members of the fanbase to recognize the talent level of the team’s 1st-round pick, DT Mason Graham, it seems as though he’s getting more and more publicity every week.

Graham has been absolutely dominating on the interior defensive line alongside Maliek Collins for Cleveland this season, and he’s getting better and better each week. He moves incredibly well for being 6’4”, 315 lbs., and has shown the ability to fight through double-teams with ease against the run in 2025. Something that hasn’t been discussed as often, though, is how he’s able to shed blocks so easily.

The answer is that his technique is top-notch at the point of attack. He always gets full extension with his arms after the snap, which allows him to have the upper hand against blockers almost immediately. Though his “short” 32” arms aren’t ideal, the fact that he knows how to use them to throw offensive linemen around makes up for it.

.@MiamiDolphins @Browns @MasonGraham_55 is a building block..isn't worried ab out much except trying to dominate the next play….You win lots a games when you get this mentality. #dawgpound #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/GqwFGdzpuY

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) October 22, 2025

He also has an incredibly high football IQ and knows exactly what’s going on around him at all times. There have been multiple plays like the one above where Graham sees something developing, and he reacts to help stop the play.

As mentioned earlier, it’s also incredible to see him play the run as well. Very few teams have been able to block him 1-on-1, and he’s athletic enough to chase down plays from behind. Going forward, it wouldn’t be surprising to see opposing offenses trying to trap him more often or consistently try to double him in the power game.

Mason Graham has been an absolute stud for Cleveland since day one, and it’s nice to finally see the rest of the NFL world starting to recognize that as well.



What are your thoughts on Mason Graham so far? Join fellow Browns fans in the comment section below.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleve...inance-is-impossible-to-ignore-maliek-collins
 
Daily Dawg Chow 10/23: Browns news, will Cleveland be selling at the trade deadline? more

gettyimages-2241785494.jpg

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 08: Quarterback Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns reacts at the line of scrimmage in the first half during the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 08, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
gettyimages-2241785494.jpg
ddc_v2.jpg

The latest Cleveland Browns coverage from Dawgs By Nature:


More Cleveland Browns news:


Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleve...ll-cleveland-be-selling-at-the-trade-deadline
 
NFL trade deadline: OLine among least traded in last 2 decades plus

gettyimages-2242039888.jpg


Call it hope, call it foolish, call it faith, call it homerism, call it optimism, call it whatever you would like, but the Cleveland Browns have a chance to make their season matter again with a win in Week 8. The AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers face a tough test against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football. A Browns win against the New England Patriots and a Steelers loss would put Cleveland just one game behind the division leaders.

It would also change the dynamics of the NFL trade deadline.

The Browns roster has been the focus of a lot of trade deadline discussions. If Cleveland pulls out a victory, GM Andrew Berry could be on the phone throughout the team’s bye week, but, unlike if they lose, the calls could be about acquiring players. As we’ve discussed in The Feed, WR Garrett Wilson is an interesting name to watch out for at the trade deadline.

Receiver is a position of need for the Browns, but the offensive line might be a much bigger one, especially for 2026 and beyond. Any Cleveland fan hoping to see the team add a linemen will likely be disappointed, as only seven total have been traded since 2002:

From @sambruchhaus: Here are the positions that get traded the most in October & November.

Which teams can use a WR or EDGE? https://t.co/Kkph84ayAt pic.twitter.com/BJrVMRN2Tz

— SūmerSports (@SumerSports) October 22, 2025

No team, whether competitive or not, has enough good offensive linemen that they can just give them away, no matter what the price, midseason. It is tough enough to acquire decent players up front, much less good ones, that trading quality talent at the position is a rarity. Those numbers also indicate that trading away Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller and/or Ethan Pocic is unlikely for the orange and brown.

The Browns acquired OT Cam Robinson in late September. The veteran fell out of favor quickly after signing with the Houston Texans this offseason. So far, Robinson has been up and down for Cleveland and has not solidified the line as the team may have hoped.

The Browns may be active at the 2025 NFL trade deadline, but don’t expect a starting-level offensive lineman to be on his way to Cleveland.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleve...ine-browns-offensive-line-history-2025-rumors
 
Daily Dawg Chow 10/24: Browns news, final preparations being made for big mathchup with New England, more

gettyimages-2188247822.jpg

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 08: Quarterback Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns reacts at the line of scrimmage in the first half during the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 08, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
gettyimages-2188247822.jpg
ddc_v2.jpg

The latest Cleveland Browns coverage from Dawgs By Nature:


More Cleveland Browns news:


Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleve...g-made-for-big-mathchup-with-new-england-more
 
Browns vs. Patriots Week 8 predictions: Is Cleveland ready to show something on offense?

gettyimages-2242429407.jpg


The Cleveland Browns had a decisive victory last week, but their offense still needs to show vast improvement to be considered a contender. That makes for a clean sweep in predictions of people picking the Patriots this week, coupled with the fact that the Browns are also winless on the road.

Here is what the national media is saying about the Week 8 game between the Browns and Patriots:

CBS Sports (Pete Prisco) – Patriots 24, Browns 14​

The Patriots have won three straight on the road to take over first place in the AFC East. They now get a Cleveland team that doesn’t do a ton on offense. The Cleveland defense is a challenge, but Drake Maye will do enough to win this one for the Patriots.

CBS Sports (John Breech) – Patriots 20, Browns 17​

Sporting News (Vinnie Iyer) – Patriots 24, Browns 19​

The Browns can cause a few defensive problems for Drake Maye but they just don’t play as well overall away from Cleveland. The Patriots are feeling their offense rolling and their defense started to make more big plays last week on the road at Tennessee. This is a little bit more of an offensive grind, but the job gets done.

Sporting News (Bill Bender) – Patriots 22, Browns 16​

The Browns are 0-3 S/U on the road this season, and they have lost those games by an average of 20.7 points per game. New England is 3-1 S/U and 3-1 ATS as a home favorite. Drake Maye has a 78.1 completion percentage through a four-game winning streak. The Browns have a total of three sacks in those losses. Will that change here?

Below are our Week 8 NFL staff picks:

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleve...-cleveland-ready-to-show-something-on-offense
 
Browns Shedeur Sanders update leads to Bailey Zappe elevation, will feed conspiracy theories even more

gettyimages-2240588675.jpg


Only second to losing, good NFL teams hate “noise” around their team, especially “noise” around a player who is not making an impact on the team. Outside of his last name, one of the reasons QB Shedeur Sanders fell to the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round was related to noise. Deserved or not, once teams evaluated him as a developmental prospect, the attention Sanders receives knocked him down a round or three.

The social media and traditional media noise around Sanders has continued to grow, with starting QB Dillon Gabriel struggling. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam addressed the team’s reasonable plan around the quarterback position, noting that Gabriel needs more time and Sanders is progressing well.

Then, on Saturday, early afternoon, the team announced that Sanders was being added to the injury report due to a tight back and would be listed as questionable for Week 8 against the New England Patriots. Along with that announcement, Cleveland elevated QB Bailey Zappe from the practice squad, along with DT Sam Kamara, for Sunday.

According to Mary Kay Cabot, Sanders’ back tightened up on him overnight:

Post on my earlier breaking news that Shedeur Sanders has been added to the #Browns injury report as questionable w/a back injury. Tightened up on him overnight. Bailey Zappe has been elevated & will be QB2 if Sanders can't go: https://t.co/8rni9pFhme

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 25, 2025

This is the second injury of Sanders’ NFL career. After a very good start against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 of the preseason, Sanders was held out of joint practice and the second preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

With all the noise and attention that Sanders receives, the timing of this back injury is likely to stir the conspiracy theory pot. Fans and media alike have opined on whether the Browns have Sanders’ best interests in mind or are trying to sabotage him. Others are likely to point out the randomness of a tight back despite the quarterback not being listed on the injury report previously and that position never getting hit in practice.

For now, Sanders could still be cleared in time for the game with Zappe as inactive. A player elevated from the practice squad is not eligible to be the emergency quarterback, so it is also possible that Zappe is active for Cleveland’s game in New England.

With the Browns flying out on Saturday, how Sanders reacts to treatment Saturday evening will decide his fate, while social media and media ponder what all of this might mean. (Probably nothing beyond what is being reported, if we are being honest.)

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleve...vation-will-feed-consiracy-theories-even-more
 
Cleveland Browns vs. New England Patriots – 3rd Quarter discussion for Week 8

gettyimages-2243444055.jpg


The second half of Week 8’s matchup between the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots is about to kick off from Foxborough, Massachusetts. Two teams that struggled greatly in 2024 have started the 2025 season on completely different paths, with the Patriots near the top of the AFC as a whole and the Browns holding on for dear life, wondering if the rest of the games coming out of the bye week and NFL trade deadline will matter.

Cleveland fans are always passionate, but that passion could start to be directed toward the NFL draft if the team enters the bye week with a 2-6 record.

Heading into the third quarter, the Patriots lead the Browns 9-7. Join fellow Browns fans in our comment section to discuss how Week 8 is progressing. Cleveland will get the ball to begin the third quarter.

VS.

Game: Cleveland Browns vs. New England Patriots
Date/Time: Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 1:00 PM ET
Local Television: FOX – Chris Myers (play-by-play) & Mark Schlereth (analyst)
Local Radio: ESPN 850 WKNR, 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 FM WNCX

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleveland-browns-game-information/107433/3rd-quarter-game-thread
 
Browns winners, losers in Week 8’s pathetic showing vs Patriots

gettyimages-2243459902.jpg

Skeleton-Elf-DONE.jpg

Less than a week before Halloween. Hopefully, no tricks for this Browns roster, and may the running game provide the treats. So far, it has been the defensive side of the ball that has brought the sweets.

RELATED: MYLES GARRETT HAS FIVE SACKS

The New England Patriots are having a really good season after former Browns consultant Mike Vrabel took over the controls this year. Unfortunately, he is well aware of what the Browns offense’s tendencies are, and what DC Jim Schwartz likes to do in certain situations.

Could Cleveland defeat one of their own? In the end, the Browns were completely smothered for most of the contest as they were beaten up pretty badly, 32-13.

So who played well for the Browns? Who didn’t?


BROWNIES


DE Myles Garrett – With 7:31 left in the third quarter, the Patriots had a first down at the Cleveland six-yard line. QB Drake Maye dropped back to pass, but DT Shelby Harris’ pass rush sent Maye scurrying out of the pocket as he headed to the right flats. EDGE rusher Garrett caught him at the eight-yard line for a sack and a loss of two yards. At this point in the game, New England was completely in control of every aspect, yet here was Garrett still in the game, and going full out to drag down their QB. This epitomized Garrett’s relentless pursuit in this game, despite the scoreboard becoming increasingly lopsided.

Myles Garrett had 5 sacks today — but becomes the first player in NFL history to do that and lose by more than 3 points.

Cleveland lost by 19.pic.twitter.com/HploFDzym7 https://t.co/RJopNdZ0ah

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 26, 2025

Garrett would end up with five sacks, five QB hits, five tackles for loss, and six total tackles, second on the defense. RT Morgan Moses had no answer for Garrett’s inside move, and even when the Patriots placed a tight end on that side for the chip, sometimes Moses would completely lose where Garrett was headed. The third-and-goal sack in the first quarter was all-Garrett, beating his man. Great swipe of Maye to cause the fumble right before the half. On the Carson Schwesinger interception, it was Garrett who put pressure on Maye, which forced an early throw.

AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Year again?) on a team that got pummeled.

S Ronnie Hickman – All over the field, but also had the bulk of his eight tackles after Patriot receivers were left wide open and the safeties were forced to bring them down. In the first quarter, rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson hit the right side and then scampered 18 yards. Hickman was all the defense had left, who made a saving tackle. Stuffed RB Rhamondre Stevenson for no gain with 12:14 left in the game.

Stopping third down – The Patriots had plenty of opportunities to extend drives, but this Browns defense just didn’t bend on third down. New England ended up converting just three of 11 attempts for the game.

gettyimages-2243161298.jpg

LB Carson Schwesinger – The interception was a thing of beauty as the rookie jumped up for the pick. Too bad he didn’t score because the Browns got nothing out of the turnover. Nailed Stevenson for no gain early in the fourth quarter on the Pats’ 14-yard line. Left the game with just over seven minutes to play. Finished with five tackles and one batted pass.

LG Joel Bitonio – Kept his man, DT Milton Williams, out of the pocket for most of the game and was able to move Williams on running plays. Williams ended up with one tackle, one batted pass, and, well, that was it. Nice work.

Opening drive – The Browns are the kings of successful opening drives. In today’s game, they looked like a championship offensive unit as they drove 70 yards in just six plays with 3:35 off the clock. QB Dillon Gabriel found TE Harold Fannin for 19 yards on a third-and-11. Corley ripped off his 31-yarder, and then Gabriel found Fannin for the touchdown pass from 18 yards out. Exactly how it was drawn up. Gabriel was 3-3.


FROWNIES


No run game – The Browns just could not move the ball on the ground. Malachi Corley had that 31-yard blast as the first quarter was winding down, but Cleveland finished with just 68 rushing yards. Take away Corley’s dash, and only 37 yards for the game? Quinshon Jenkins ended up with nine carries for 19 yards. And only 16 total carries for the entire offense all game. What?

Issues with finishing drives – After the Browns drove down the field and scored on their first possession, their next drives were punt, missed FG, punt, punt, punt, interception, interception, downs, touchdown, safety, downs. Only 12 first downs, 2-11 on third down conversions, 213 total yards, 2-3 in the Red Zone, two turnovers, the highest yardage gained for any player was just 62 yards (Fannin), and a mere 23:48 of possession. Take away the game’s first drive, and Cleveland’s offense was horrible in every single category.

WOW: #Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel takes SHOTS at the #Browns and head coach Kevin Stefanski for their offense.

“When their gimmick plays ran out, we played pretty good defense”

Awful look for Cleveland 😳
pic.twitter.com/ClwxXR9ZFq

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) October 26, 2025

Not keeping Vrabel – The Browns lost 14 games last year. In the third quarter, the camera cut to Patriots’ new head coach, Mike Vrabel, on the sideline jumping up and down, and high-fiving players in excitement. New England is now 6-2-0. Cleveland is 2-6-0. The franchise had the chance to keep him after last year’s debacle, but did not. Vrabel with Schwartz leading the defense? That would have been scary.

Pass coverage – Grade of an “F” to every Cleveland defensive back. All game long, receivers were given a five-yard cushion. Receivers crossed without anybody tight on them. Tight ends were open all game. Guys who hadn’t scored a touchdown all season found the end zone. Safeties made the majority of tackles because the play ended up downfield. A complete suckfest for this group. CB Tyson Campbell was smoked all game until he left the game with a concussion.


Milk Bones – Sit down. You’re just my blood type


DE Alex Wright – Made several good stops on running plays. Sacked Maye early in the second quarter when he beat LT Will Campbell to the outside. But Wright left the right side open quite a few times in this game, and the Patriots exploited the lack of contain. Wright dives inside quite a bit.

It would be a very nice development if this game gets TreVeyon Henderson going. The #Patriots rookie RB has 72 rushing yards on nine carries, mostly on tosses.

— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) October 26, 2025

This left the corner open. First quarter: Henderson 18 yards; Third quarter: Henderson 27 yards; Third quarter, second-and-two: Henderson 4 yards; Fourth quarter, second-and-seven, Henderson 8 yards; Fourth quarter: Terrell Jennings 12 yards. All around the right end. Wright provided a good pass rush and ended up with four tackles with three of which were for a loss, one sack, and one QB hit.

WR Malachi Corley – After he ran the ball for 31 yards on Cleveland’s first drive, if you had to look up who #83 was, you aren’t alone. Corley began the season on the practice squad and was called up on September 30. This is actually the fourth game this year he has played in. One carry with a 31.0 yards per carry average? Call grandma.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleve...osers-in-week-8s-pathetic-showing-vs-patriots
 
Browns GM Andrew Berry not speaking to media during bye week: Practical or cowardice?

gettyimages-2207084784.jpg


The Cleveland Browns head into their bye week with far more questions than answers. We learned a bit more about the Browns injuries coming out of Week 8 from HC Kevin Stefanski on Monday and a reiteration that QB Dillon Gabriel would continue as the starter. Stefanski mostly blew off questions from the media about Shedeur Sanders.

Last week, Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam seemed to take Stefanski off the hot seat, but many are wondering if Week 8 changed things, and what options the Browns might have to replace him.

Stefanski has taken much of the flak, given that he speaks to the media multiple times a week, while GM Andrew Berry has been seen but not heard. Berry’s talented 2025 NFL draft class seems to have bought him time with some fans and media, clearly not all, but it was interesting to note that the GM is currently not scheduled to speak to the media during Cleveland’s bye week:

As of now, #Browns EVP-Football Operations/GM Andrew Berry is not scheduled to speak this week. A departure from tradition of being available during the team's bye week.

— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) October 27, 2025

From what we understand at DBN, there is a simple, practical reason for this departure: The NFL trade deadline is next week and Berry is expected to speak following that. Talking to the media this week and next may not be an efficient use of his time, or the media’s, especially with the deadline a week away.

That isn’t how everyone is taking the news of Berry not speaking this week, however:

Browns: “We are going to foster a culture of accountability”

Andrew Berry when scheduled to talk: pic.twitter.com/hYHTjeCgBO

— McNeil (@Reflog_18) October 27, 2025

The word “coward” or similar implications have been used to describe Berry’s decision. Others believe that Sanders not playing is the reason:

Maybe Berry believes the team should play Sanders and therefore he refuses to get in front of the camera and pretend he and Kevin are on the same page.

— BronxBrownsBacker 🐶🏈 (@Mz_Informashun) October 27, 2025

In the end, Berry speaking or not does not impact the performance on the field. In general, the GM (much like the head coach) has perfected saying almost nothing while using a lot of words, so a press conference would not provide answers to fans’ questions either.

It is possible that the team makes Berry available this week, but had not yet scheduled it by the time Ruiter made his post. As of this publication, the Browns official media schedule only included Monday’s media session with Stefanski and “No scheduled availability” for Tuesday, October 28th. If Cleveland’s GM doesn’t speak after the NFL trade deadline, things could get even more interesting.



What do you think, is Berry just being practical in speaking to the media once next week (if he does) or do you think it is something worse?

Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleve...-media-during-bye-week-practical-or-cowardice
 
Daily Dawg Chow 10/28: Browns news, frustration abounds, Coach Stefanski to try and right the ship over the bye week, more

gettyimages-2242343933.jpg

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 08: Quarterback Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns reacts at the line of scrimmage in the first half during the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 08, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
gettyimages-2242343933.jpg
ddc_v2.jpg

The latest Cleveland Browns coverage from Dawgs By Nature:


More Cleveland Browns news:


Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleve...try-and-right-the-ship-over-the-bye-week-more
 
Is it time for the Browns to trade Myles Garrett?

gettyimages-2238656590.jpg


The Cleveland Browns, along with the other teams near the bottom of the standings, will be connected to several potential trades between now and the NFL’s trade deadline on November 4.

General manager Andrew Berry has already made three deals since the start of the season, sending veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals and cornerback Greg Newsome II to the Jacksonville Jaguars, while bringing in offensive tackle Cam Robinson.

With the season going nowhere at 2-6 and the Browns on their bye week, Berry can spend the next week evaluating the situation and could look to move some of the team’s veterans who are not part of the plan after this season.

There is one major move that Berry could theoretically make, and that is to trade defensive end Myles Garrett, the league’s best defensive player.

While it is true that the Browns and Garrett agreed on a four-year contract extension in the offseason with $123.6 million in guaranteed money, there is no other player on the roster who would bring back the type of draft capital the Browns desperately need after going three years without a first-round selection, thanks to the disastrous Deshaun Watson trade.

That is the logic that Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer laid out earlier today in making the case for the Browns to be at least open to dealing Garrett:

A potential trade is about what’s best for the Browns, the timeline for their rebuild, and Garrett’s career timeline (just to be clear, the team has been steadfast in saying it won’t trade him).

The Browns, to their credit, acknowledged their position in trading the second pick in April. Moving that choice and the right to take Travis Hunter was an admission that the roster needed an influx of youth and wasn’t one player away from being a contender. What’s more, it’s actually started to work, with a bumper crop of rookies headlined by Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger, Quinshon Judkins, and Harold Fannin Jr. flashing big-time potential.

So, now is the time to lean into their strategy. For argument’s sake, let’s say the Browns could get two first-round picks, a 2026 second-round pick, and a ’27 third-round pick for Garrett. In that scenario, Cleveland would have three first-round picks and two second-rounders in ’26, and a total of 10 picks in the first five rounds, and two first-rounders and five picks in the first three rounds of the ’27 draft.

Add that to the core the Browns are starting to build with the 2025 class, and they’re looking at an opportunity to be firing on all cylinders by ’27 or ’28.

Let’s check a few of the reasons that Breer lays out in his case:

  • It’s interesting to say the Browns would be “firing on all cylinders” by the 2028 season, which coincidentally would be the last one before the team moves to its new stadium in Brook Park. The idea of building a winner just in time for the new stadium would certainly be appealing to ownership.
  • Two first-round selections do sound nice. But remember that contract extension the Browns worked out with Garrett? It includes a no-trade clause, and there is no reason to believe Garrett would waive that unless he was going to a team that is in a position to contend for Super Bowls over the rest of his career. Which means those picks would fall at the end of the first round, and that takes some of the value off of them as far as the Browns are concerned.
  • There is also the not-so-small cap hit that the Browns would have to absorb. Trading Garrett during the season would trigger a dead cap hit of $68 million for the 2026 season, easily dwarfing the $53 million hit the Denver Broncos took to get rid of quarterback Russell Wilson in 2024. Breer does acknowledge the cap hit, but is of the opinion that sometimes in the NFL, you have to take your medicine.

It is hard to see the Browns being willing to take on the type of cap hit required to trade Garrett, even if the draft picks they receive in return would help to restock the roster. If anything, they would appear more likely to do what the Broncos did with Wilson, and finally cut ties with Watson simply to move on from a mistake.

But even that is complicated, as the Browns would be looking at a $135 million dead cap charge, split between 2026 and 2027, if they were to release Watson after this season with a post-June 1 designation.

So, yes, the Browns could trade Garrett by this time next week. But whether they should trade him is a different matter, especially given that the return may not be as valuable as hoped for with a player of Garrett’s ability.



What do you think, Browns fans? Should the Browns take their cap medicine and trade Garrett for as much as they can get? Or are they better off with him on the roster?

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleve.../cleveland-browns-time-to-trade-myles-garrett
 
Myles Garrett’s amazing Week 8 not recognized due to Browns failures

gettyimages-2243275520.jpg


The Cleveland Browns may or may not be a mess internally; no one really knows. It seems like owner Jimmy Haslam was prepared and understood what the 2025 season would look like and hasn’t fed the hot seat rumors regarding HC Kevin Stefanski. Haslam has seemingly embraced the process.

Whether the pathetic showing against the New England Patriots will change anything, it hasn’t yet during the Browns bye week, is a big unknown.

A couple of weeks ago, DE Myles Garrett seemed to put everyone on notice regarding how he was feeling about the team. That didn’t force Haslam’s hand at all and Cleveland beat the Miami Dolphins in Week 7. Garrett’s history-making Week 8 led to even more frustrations from the star defender and renewed conversations about him being traded, with rumors likely to grow ahead of the NFL trade deadline.

Garrett’s stat line last week was impressive:

  • 6 tackles
  • 5 sacks
  • 5 QB hits
  • 5 Tackles for Loss
  • 1 Forced Fumble

Yet, likely because of the Browns continued struggles, it wasn’t enough to earn Garrett Defensive Player of the Week honors. Instead, the following stat line for LB Jordyn Brooks took home the honor:

  • 10 tackles
  • 1 sack
  • 1 QB hit
  • 3 Tackles for Loss

The difference? The Miami Dolphins were victorious over the Atlanta Falcons and held their opponents to 10 points.

Which defender had a more impressive week? That answer is easy. No other defender had more than two sacks last week. The defender who won the award just played for a team that won and got support from his offense.

Looking ahead, it would not be surprising if Garrett surpasses his stats from his Defensive Player of the Year Award season of 2023, only to get passed over due to Cleveland’s poor record.



What do you think, should Garrett have won the award despite the Browns otherwise terrible performance?

Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleve...9/myles-garrett-week-8-dpoy-award-browns-fail
 
Daily Dawg Chow 10/30: Browns news, Myles Garrett reportedly not on trading block, despite rampant speculation. More

gettyimages-2243432663.jpg

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 08: Quarterback Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns reacts at the line of scrimmage in the first half during the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 08, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
gettyimages-2243432663.jpg
ddc_v2.jpg

The latest Cleveland Browns coverage from Dawgs By Nature:


More Cleveland Browns news:


Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleve...-on-trading-block-despite-rampant-speculation
 
Did Shedeur Sanders just reveal the Browns QB plan?

gettyimages-2235395783.jpg


The Cleveland Browns are enjoying their bye week, which provides a respite for players (and fans) to rest and recharge before starting the second half of the 2025 NFL season.

The week off is also an opportunity for the coaching staff to reflect on what went right and wrong during the 2-6 start to the season, and begin a plan to potentially steady the ship, beginning with the first game after the bye week against the New York Jets.

One of the key questions that needs to be addressed focuses on the ongoing situation at quarterback.

Joe Flacco started the first four games and was bad. Then Dillon Gabriel took over, and the past four games have been just as bad.

So what are the coaches to do?

Well, they can always go with the ever-popular “let’s see what we have” plan and turn things over to rookie Shedeur Sanders, who has slowly but steadily been working his way up the depth chart and putting in the extra work that one would expect from a player selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.

It has long been expected that Sanders will have his turn at some point this season, but did he let slip the plan this week?

The Colorado Buffaloes, where Sanders starred for the past two seasons, are celebrating their homecoming game this weekend. And with the Browns not having a game, it presents a chance for Sanders to go back for the celebration.

🔥 Shedeur Focued. Staying in Cleveland. Will Not Return to Boulder Over Bye-Week

"I'm not coming to CU homecoming. I wish I could though. I got treatment out here. I gotta get ready. Big ready"

📽️ @ShedeurSanders https://t.co/HappW2mPaQ pic.twitter.com/bLKAVT0Lle

— JaKi 🇺🇸 (@JaKiTruth) October 30, 2025

But in a social media post from JaKi, a self-proclaimed “independent CU Buffs creator,” Sanders revealed that he will not be returning to campus, but will be staying in Cleveland as he has to be “big ready” for something:

“I’m not coming to CU homecoming. I can’t make it out there. I wish I could, though. I got treatment out here. I gotta get ready. Big ready.”

Sanders is as media savvy as any player, and he knows that anything he says will be analyzed and magnified into something bigger*. So what exactly is he getting ready for? Let’s run through the possibilities and the likelihood that they are happening.

Sanders will be the starter against the Jets​


Following Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots, head coach Kevin Stefanski said that Gabriel will continue to be the starter after the bye week. But two weeks is a long time between games, and given time to rethink the situation, has Stefanski decided to make the switch to Sanders?

It seems unlikely that Stefanski would have told Sanders to stick around to help him prepare to take over as the starter, given that everyone else is absent from the building. And there is no way a move this big, or at least one that will be perceived as being big, would take place in a way that would allow the news to slip out.

Still, this is the Browns and the quarterback position, so anything is possible. Likelihood: 20 percent.

🔥 Shedeur & Browns. Former NFL Player James Jones Stands Up for #12

"The way they have done #12, we have never seen this be done before in the history of the NFL. They don't wanna put him out there because they know he's gonna have success" https://t.co/byqBaZjThI pic.twitter.com/xCi0tLjRt9

— JaKi 🇺🇸 (@JaKiTruth) October 22, 2025

This is part of the ongoing conspiracy​


The Browns scratched Sanders from the lineup for the New England game after he came up with a sore back. Things like this happen every week in the NFL: a player wakes up with an unexpected ache, the team waits as long as possible, and then makes a game-time decision on whether or not the player can play.

But this is Sanders we are talking about, so that routine piece of business became the latest talking point in the ongoing conspiracy of the Browns intentionally doing everything they can to ruin Sanders’ career before it can even get started.

Because Stefanski knew that Gabriel was going to struggle against the Patriots, he intentionally made Sanders inactive out of fear that he would be forced to pull Gabriel and insert Sanders into the game. (You really have to question the people who make this stuff up.)

But if Sanders himself said he is getting treatment, and the back injury is all a lie, wouldn’t that mean he is part of the very same conspiracy to sabotage his career? Likelihood: 0 percent.

Sanders is simply working to be ready​


Outside of a couple of speeding tickets early on and a nonsensical locker room interview, Sanders has, by all accounts, been a good teammate and has been doing everything he can to learn the NFL game.

While his supporters don’t want to accept it, there can be a steep learning curve when it comes to playing quarterback at the NFL level, especially for a player who did not play in a pro-style offense in college.

Occam’s razor suggests that, when all else is equal, the simpler explanation for a problem should be the preferred answer over more complex ones. As with everything related to Sanders and his rookie season, it is best to just look for the most common-sense answer, which in this case is that he is getting treatment for his back, nothing more. Likelihood: 80 percent.

*Yes, we get the irony.




What do you think, Browns fans? Did Sanders spill the beans? Or is this just another case of much ado about nothing?

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleve...rowns-did-shedeur-sanders-just-reveal-qb-plan
 
Browns Myles Garrett, Eagles trade rumor makes too much sense for almost everyone

gettyimages-1027731592.jpg


If we are keeping track properly, the Cleveland Browns are building for the future, the Philadelphia Eagles are trying to repeat as Super Bowl champions and DE Myles Garrett is frustrated, after extending his contract despite stating an offseason desire to win a Super Bowl. If we got all of that correct, the trade rumor of Garrett being traded from the Browns to the Eagles makes a ton of sense.

Will it happen? Albert Breer recently talked about the feasibility of a Garrett deal, but Adam Schefter’s source made it very clear that a Garrett trade would not be going down. The contract details are what they are. Cleveland will have large salary cap hits with their star defender on the roster or not, with the timeline being different if a trade happens.

The NFL trade deadline rumor is that Philadelphia, where Cleveland GM Andrew Berry worked for a season under GM Howie Roseman, is willing to offer three first-round picks for Garrett (thanks to Bleeding Green Nation for the transcript and our pal Jack McCurry for the video)

“Rumor going around … and I have not heard it out of the Eagles, but I’ve heard it from a couple of other super high-ranking people in other teams that are clearly on the phones. That Howie Roseman and the Eagles are super hot after Myles Garrett. That Howie would give up, like, three first-round picks for him.

“Which, you know, if it’s coming from the Eagles, those are three late firsts. So, it’s even arguable … when you get through the draft process, how many first-round grades do you really have? Maybe you have between 14 and 18 in a typical year. And that means if you’re drafting in the late 20s, early 30s, you’re not even getting a player that’s really considered on your board, unless you’re lucky, you’re not getting a player that maybe you have a first-round grade on.”

“But, yeah, so that’s kinda like this rumor that’s out there. Like, hey, Howie would really love a shot at [Garrett]. But, again, I was told by the Browns they’re not interested in moving him.”

You can see the comments here:

Yahoo Sports NFL Reporter @CharlesRobinson mentioned on @1025TheGame this morning that he’s heard the Philadelphia Eagles are “hot” for Myles Garrett but he was told by the Browns that they aren’t moving Garrett #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/dZAS8Cx51I

— Jackson McCurry (@JackMcCurry08) October 30, 2025

So, in general, a Myles Garrett deal between the Browns and Eagles, with a significant return, makes sense, on the surface level, for everyone.

It stops making sense for Cleveland fans, for the upcoming dome stadium (and the prices involved) and for the Browns roster, which is not being torn down to the studs. Unlike playing “Madden” or even fantasy football, all-time great players are not replaced in equal value with two or three good to very good players.

Garrett’s presence alone makes DT Mason Graham, LB Carson Schwesinger and DT Mike Hall Jr. better. His play can, at times, win games almost single-handedly.

The deal also doesn’t make sense for Berry, unless he knows for sure he will get to complete at least four of the five years on the extension he signed last year. Garrett not only assures a more competitive product on the field but also gives the rest of Berry’s roster a chance to look better to owner Jimmy Haslam if the GM is on the hot seat.

A deal that could, potentially, be of more interest is if a team that has two first-round picks in 2026 comes calling with a huge offer. If the Dallas Cowboys or St. Louis Rams offer both of their picks next year and more value, potentially also in the 2026 draft, Browns fans and Berry might be more interested in building a team with four first-round picks in next year’s draft.

Using Pro Football Focus’ Mock Draft Simulator, and forcing a deal with Cleveland receiving Dallas’ first three picks in the 2026 NFL draft, the Browns roster could add these players to quickly update the offense and add an edge player in the first two rounds (no clue on how the grades are done):

dsa.png

Is that realistic? Probably not, but that is the point. Adding who could be the top quarterback in the draft, a do-everything receiver in Tate, and a big-bodied receiver in Lane, while also giving the team two new offensive tackles, is really the only way to justify trading Garrett, at least for Browns fans and the team’s GM. If it isn’t that over the top, a deal doesn’t make sense.



What Myles Garrett trade would you actually accept if the rumors of huge offers is true? What do you think of the one noted above?

Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleve...-garrett-eagles-trade-rumor-andrew-berry-fans
 
Browns on the Bye: Week 9 NFL predictions – Imagine how close Cleveland was to a 4-4 record

gettyimages-2243272629.jpg


The Cleveland Browns are on the bye with a 2-6 record. For as frustrating and bad as this football team has been, it’s also unbelievable how two moments could have drastically shifted the mood of the season.

  • In Week 1, the Browns are losing 17-16, due to a missed extra point earlier. Still, they are in clear field goal range with a first down in the red zone near the end of the fourth quarter. A sack ultimately sets up a 36-yard field goal for rookie K Andre Szmyt, and he misses it with under three minutes to go. The defense forces a three-and-out, and Joe Flacco gets picked off near midfield with 1:30 to go. The Bengals set a record for having negative yards in the second half and still winning the game. The odds of the Browns losing in that circumstance were historically low.
  • In Week 5 against the Vikings, the Browns played a relatively clean game and were in control for most of it. But in the fourth quarter, the offense blew several opportunities to close out the game, and then when it came time for the defense to get the game-winning stop, Carson Wentz, who we now know was playing with what’s now a season-ending shoulder injury, led a game-winning touchdown drive.

If the Browns had won both of those games, the team would be 4-4 at the bye, just a half game out of the AFC North lead. Granted, we can’t play that game in the NFL often, because one could just as easily point to the Browns’ victory over the Packers and how much of a fluke comeback that was. But still, the fact that at 2-6, and if the Steelers lose to the Colts this weekend, Cleveland could still just be two games out of the AFC North lead? That sounds a bit insane, but it’s the reason why Kevin Stefanski is sticking with Dillon Gabriel, in my opinion. I think he thinks Gabriel can be the better game manager to win some of these winnable games upcoming, and that Shedeur Sanders isn’t ready yet for the speed of the game. If he thinks he can polish some things with Gabriel and the offense, he’s going to try it before giving up and seeing what Sanders has.

Below are our Week 9 NFL staff picks:

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleve...dictions-imagine-how-close-cleveland-playoffs
 
2026 NFL draft: 2 of best Ohio State Buckeyes not available, Browns fans disappointed

gettyimages-2237810024.jpg


The Cleveland Browns and their fans need the 2025 and 2026 NFL draft classes to turn out to be the foundation of the great turnaround that the team has needed for decades. While some may have used the fifth overall pick on a different position, after the Travis Hunter trade, the Browns ‘25 draft class has done its part. Cleveland has acquired starters DT Mason Graham, LB Carson Schwesinger, RB Quinshon Judkins and TE Harold Fannin Jr.

RB Dylan Sampson looks like he could be a rotational back while the jury is out on Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.

Including two first-rounders, the Browns are scheduled to have 10 picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL draft, but a few of the best from The Ohio State Buckeyes will not be available, right when the team up I-71 could use them. QB Julian Sayin is the betting favorite for the Heisman Trophy while WR Jeremiah Smith is in the Top 10, with many believing he is the best player in all of college football.

Neither will be eligible for the 2026 NFL draft, with the earliest they could declare being in 2027. For a Cleveland team desperate for both a talented quarterback and a dominant wide receiver, it becomes easy to feel like they have their two first-round picks a year too early. It is similar to the last two seasons. In the 2024 NFL draft, Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye were the first three picks. In the 2025 NFL draft, with the Browns selecting second overall, just one quarterback was worthy of being selected near the top.

There is still Buckeye talent that will be available and worthy of being drafted in this year’s draft. DB Caleb Downs, WR Carnell Tate and LB/DE Arvell Reese could all be Top 10-15 selections. While all very good prospects, Smith is in a class of his own, and the quarterback position is just that much more important than any other on the field.

A year too late, then a year too early. A potential for more pain for Cleveland fans unless the front office gets it right in the upcoming NFL draft.

Source: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/cleve...e-buckeyes-browns-julian-sayin-jeremiah-smith
 
Back
Top