Free agency starts for the Cleveland Browns and the rest of the NFL at 4:00 PM ET on Wednesday, March 11 — but the real news often breaks when the legal tampering period starts. That period begins Monday at 12:00 PM ET.
We will have all of the Browns-related news and rumors on free agency here at Dawgs By Nature throughout the day. This post will act as a “live blog” of sorts, with brief but important updates about the latest rumors, signings, or trades involving Cleveland or other NFL teams.
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You should also use the comments section as your free agency open thread! (Newest updates will be at the top of the live blog below.
2026 Browns Free Agency Live Blog – Day 2
6:35 AM: Based on NFL free agency reporting, we may have our answer on Joel Bitonio’s future.
6:30 AM: Cleveland reportedly was in on trying to sign Alijah Vera-Tucker, but lost out to the Patriots:
2026 Browns Free Agency Live Blog – Day 1
6:54 PM: Cleveland replaces Bush with former All-Pro LB Quincy Williams.
6:45 PM: Another possible target for the Browns is off the market as guard Isaac Seumalo is getting himself out of Pittsburgh and reportedly signing with the Arizona Cardinals, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
6:35 PM: Another veteran quarterback that may have drawn cursory interest from the Browns is off the market as Gardner Minshew II is reportedly signing with the Arizona Cardinals on a one-year deal worth $8 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That is a nice payday for a player who is 2-8 in his last 10 starts.
6:28 PM: There will be no reunion between the Browns and quarterback Kenny Pickett, as the veteran is reportedly signing a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
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At this time last year, there were people who actually believed the Browns had traded for Pickett with the plan to open the season with him as the starting quarterback. Now, after a season where he made two starts for the Las Vegas Raiders, Pickett is off to Carolina to back up Bryce Young.
6:20 PM: The Browns were never going to be interested, but since he plays quarterback, it is worth noting that Tua Tagovailoa is reportedly signing a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That gives the Falcons a second left-handed quarterback to go along with Michael Penix Jr.
Wonder if Andrew Berry can talk Atlanta head coach Kevin Stefanski into a reunion with Dillon Gabriel?
5:00 PM: Putting together some information/posts from experts, as well as some film, on Zion Johnson in The Feed. See what we’ve found and share with everyone what we haven’t yet.
4:58 PM: A new free agent center on the market:
3:45 PM: Cleveland loses another defender, this time rotational DE Cameron Thomas:
3:00 PM: Browns are on the board with an offensive line addition, Zion Johnson. More on the newest (reportedly) offensive line addition.
2:45 PM: First Cleveland-related move, Devin Bush headed out:
2:15 PM: Scottish Hammer on the market again:
2:05 PM: Raiders are not looking to move their starting center despite signing Linderbaum, just moving him to guard:
1:45 PM: Big name target, Tyler Linderbaum, off the board with a huge pay day (even bigger than expected for AAV):
1:15: Kevin Stefanski reunites with Austin Hooper:
1:01 PM: Bengals bad defense loses one of their better defenders:
1:00 PM: A weapon out of the AFC North:
12:55 PM: Top quarterback is off the board:
12:46 PM: Michael Pittman was a name the Browns had their eyes on as a potential trade target. Heading to PITT:
12:45 PM: A monster contract for an edge rusher who only has 28 career sacks in five seasons:
12:10 PM: For anyone who wanted WR Alec Pierce, the price tag became outrageous for him to return to the Colts:
10:15 AM: Not a rumor, but Jared asked over in The Feed about what free agent signing was actually a game-changer for the Browns. Come help Jared out.
9:50 AM: I wrote an article about Travis Kelce, but made a note in the comment section about what I’m hearing. Rumor has it that a homecoming is on the table for the Cleveland Heights star. Did not say likely, just on the table.
9:15 AM: Browns reportedly in pursuit of Tyler Linderbaum and “hot pursuit” of what would be considered a massive overpay with Chris Paul. More here.
8:22 AM: Which players are set to become free agents on Wednesday from the Browns’ roster?
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OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: RB Jerome Ford, RB Trayveon Williams, WR DeAndre Carter, TE David Njoku, TE Blake Whiteheart, C Ethan Pocic, OG Wyatt Teller, OG Joel Bitonio, OG Tevin Jenkins, OT Jack Conklin, OT Cam Robinson
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: DT Shelby Harris, DE Cameron Thomas, DE Julian Okwara, DE Sam Kamara, LB Devin Bush, LB Mohamoud Diabate, LB Jerome Baker, CB D’Angelo Ross, CB Tre Avery, CB Martin Emerson, CB Sam Webb, S Rayshawn Jenkins
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS: P Corey Bojorquez
You can also see a snapshot of the Browns’ current roster here — meaning players who are currently under contract. Among the list of pending free agents, I’d like to see Bitonio, Harris, Bush, Emerson, and Bojorquez retained. Emerson is an interesting one, given that he had a big injury in a contract year.
8:00 AM: Good morning, Browns fans, and welcome to free agency! Legal negotiations begin at noon today.
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The Browns have made a few big moves prior to the start of free agency. One of those moves was on the offensive side of the ball, when they traded for OT Tytus Howard. They also slapped a second-round tender on restricted free agent S Ronnie Hickman. QB Deshaun Watson had his annual contract restructuring.
The Browns have a lot of players set to hit the open market and become free agents on Wednesday, but the biggest players they’d like to bring back are LB Devin Bush and OL Joel Bitonio. Will it be for the right price, though?
Today’s updates will be brought to you by a mix of the DBN staff.
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