Browns offseason tracker: Every move shaping Cleveland’s 2026 roster

The Cleveland Browns will enter the 2026 league year with some newfound hope after hiring offensive guru Todd Monken as head coach.

Monken comes to Cleveland with a clear vision and track record, particularly as a play caller. The Browns' offense is in need of a makeover, especially up front, and the first free agent class of the Monken era could wind up making or breaking the Browns’ chances of contending in Year 1. 

With the NFL's legal tampering window now behind them, the Browns off to a torrid start. Consider this your one-stop shop for all things Cleveland Browns in free agency.

Free-agency snapshot

• Cap space remaining: $1,876,833 (per Over the Cap)
• Biggest signing: Zion Johnson
• Biggest departure: Devin Bush
• Most surprising move: Replacing Devin Bush with Quincy Williams
• Biggest remaining needs: Left tackle, wide receiver, quarterback
• Last updated: 11:30 p.m. ET, March 12, 2026

Major Browns signings

Zion Johnson: 3 years, $49.5 million (per Adam Schefter, ESPN)

The Browns' first free agent splash fills a major need, as the Browns could need help at both guard positions this season. Johnson has some versatility, as he played right guard for the Los Angeles Chargers as a rookie before switching over to the left side in 2023.

He brings some obvious promise as a former No. 17 overall draft pick, but there's a reason the Chargers are letting him walk. Their offensive line struggled in 2025, and Johnson's production might not match the reported $32.4 million in guaranteed money he landed from Cleveland.

Johnson could feasibly slot in at either the right or left guard spot for the Browns, depending on how things shake out with Joel Bitonio.

MORE: Browns are betting $49.5 million that Zion Johnson can solve their O-line woes

Quincy Williams: 2 years, $17 million (per Jordan Schultz, FOX Sports)

The Browns quickly filled the void left from Devin Bush's free agent agreement with the Chicago Bears, reportedly landing a linebacker with previous ties to new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg.

Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Williams, who turns 30 in August, was frustrated in his final year with the New York Jets, as he didn't feel his sideline-to-sideline speed was being utilized. He's been a tackling machine throughout his career, though, thriving in Robert Saleh's scheme with four consecutive 100-tackle seasons. He should be able to help fill the 125 total tackles that Bush recorded for the Browns in 2025.

Teven Jenkins: contract terms TBA (per the Cleveland Browns)

The Browns are bringing back Teven Jenkins for the 2026 season. Terms of the deal were not immediately known, but the move was confirmed by the team.

Jenkins was being groomed as a potential replacement to Wyatt Teller at right guard last season, rotating series and eventually starting four games late in the year with Teller tending to a knee injury. He was drafted by Chicago in 2021 with a top-40 pick, and performed well in pass protection for quarterback Shedeur Sanders, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.

“Jenkins had a pass block win rate at guard (94.4%) that would have ranked 17th last season. His run block win rate at guard (65.6%) would have been fifth-worst if he had enough snaps to qualify.”

MORE: Browns fans won’t love what Teven Jenkins signing might mean

Elgton Jenkins: 2 years, $24 million (per Ian Rapoport, NFL Network)

The Browns were able to land a versatile player in Jenkins who they reportedly tried to trade for. He wound up getting released by the Green Bay Packers with a failed physical designation, and Andrew Berry and company quickly pounced. Jenkins' two-year deal includes $20 million in guarantees.

Jenkins had a pair of Pro Bowl seasons at left guard for the Packers, but he can play all five positions. In 2025, he started Green Bay's first nine games at center before suffering a season-ending leg injury in Week 10. There's definitely some risk here with a player entering his age-31 season, but Jenkins could be the Browns' replacement for Ethan Pocic at center, with the ability to move to guard or tackle at a moment's notice.

MORE: Andrew Berry just struck free agency gold with this underrated signing

Departures

Devin Bush (per Adam Schefter)

The Browns reportedly passed on bringing back bush at $10 million per year, which is the number he landed from the Chicago Bears. According to Schefter, Bush agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $30 million, with $21 million in guarantees.

Cleveland was interested in bringing Bush back, according to beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot. The team clearly prioritized shoring up the offensive line, and will likely pivot to the 2026 NFL Draft to find Bush's replacement.

MORE: Devin Bush’s reported price tag makes Browns’ decision a head-scratcher

David Njoku (per Daniel Oyefusi)

Njoku’s nine-year run in Cleveland has officially come to an end after he and the team were unable to agree on an extension. The team will designate him as a post-June 1 release, per Browns reporter Danile Oyefusi of ESPN.

This move doesn't come as a surprise. Njoku posted a farewell message to Browns fans in February, letting them know of his plans to test free agency. The Browns will most likely reallocate those funds given the emergence of star 2025 rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr.

Jack Conklin (per Tom Pelissero)

The Browns are officially moving on from their former right tackle after his contract was restructured in 2025 to allow him to hit free agency early. He'll still cost the Browns a $12.9 million cap charge in 2026, according to Oyefusi, as a straight release.

Injuries defined Conklin's tenure in Cleveland, has he missed 44 of a possible 101 games, per Cleveland.com. The Browns traded for his replacement, Tytus Howard, prior to the start of free agency, so this move was purely procedural.

Wyatt Teller (per Daniel Oyefusi)

Similar to Njoku, Teller will be designated as a post-June 1 release for salary cap purposes. His 2025 season felt like a Cleveland swan song, with injuries limiting his production and the younger Teven Jenkins mysteriously stealing reps down the stretch. The Browns re-signed Jenkins earlier this week.

Teller could have suitors entering his age-32 season, including the Houston Texans, per NFL reporter Aaron Wilson.

Cameron Thomas (per Adam Schefter)

Thomas is reportedly headed to the Atlanta Falcons to rejoin former head coach Kevin Stefanski. It's a one-year deal, per Schefter, worth up the $3.1 million.

The 26-year-old spent some of 2024 and all of the 2025 season with the Browns, logging 310 defensive snaps last year as a rotational defensive end. His most memorable game with Cleveland was probably Week 12 against the Raiders, when the Browns won 24-10 in Shedeur Sanders' first career start and Thomas posted a sack, six tackles, and three QB hits.

Other potential departures to watch

Joel Bitonio, LG, UFA

Bitonio’s contract was set to void on President’s Day, but the Browns agreed to extend that date to allow their Ironman left guard more time to contemplate his future. He’s spent his entire 12-year career with Cleveland, and if he does decide to return for his age-35 season, there’s at least a chance he’d like the chance to play for a contender.

More likely: Bitonio either chooses to retire or run it back with the Browns in 2026. He’s still playing at a high level, and Cleveland could use his veteran leadership in what’s expected to be a new-look offensive line room this year.

Ethan Pocic, C, UFA

The Browns lost Pocic in December to a torn Achilles. With his contract set to void for just a $4.3 million dead-cap hit, Cleveland will most likely move on and look to add young depth at the position. Pocic will turn 31 in August.

This year’s free agent market at center is expected to be thin and extremely top-heavy. The Browns could find themselves turning to 2023 sixth-round draft pick Luke Wypler or a middle-tier veteran.

Martin Emerson Jr., CB, UFA

Emerson is preparing his return in 2026 after missing all of last season due to an Achilles injury. He was a third-round pick of the Browns in 2022 and is still only 25 years old.

It's worth noting that GM Andrew Berry and the Browns bolstered their cornerback room last season when they traded Jacksonville for Tyson Campbell. Bringing back Emerson likely won’t be a priority for the team, but coming off a major injury, Cleveland could be the perfect spot for Emerson to sign a one-year deal that allows him to prove he's fully recovered.

Best target remaining

Rasheed Walker, LT, Green Bay Packers

Walker has more than earned his big payday. He’s been serving as Green Bay’s starting left tackle since 2023, which is no small feat for a player drafted in the seventh round.

Whether Walker will live up to a free agent contract that’s expected to land him in the $20 million average per year club is the real question. That’s the price Cleveland would have to pay to secure a starting left tackle in free agency.

Depth signings and minor moves

• Re-signing cornerback D'Angelo Ross, per Aaron Wilson of KRPC 2 Houston.

• Re-signed punter Corey Bojorquz, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

• Signed former Eagles and Saints tight end Jack Stoll to a one-year deal, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN

• Placed right of first refusal tender on restricted free agent safety Ronnie Hickman, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.

• Traded a fifth-round draft pick to the Houston Texans for right tackle Tytus Howard

• Restructured quarterback Deshaun Watson’s contract for $36 million in cap savings