Malcolm Smith
FILE - Indianapolis Colts linebacker Anthony Walker (54) runs to the sidelines during an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Indianapolis, in this Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, file photo. Free agent linebacker Anthony Walker agreed to sign a one-year, $3.5 million contract with Cleveland, which has improved its secondary, pass rush and linebacking corps this week in free agency. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger, File)
Browns continue defensive makeover, add Walker, Jackson

By Tom Withers Mar. 19, 2021 12:12 PM EDT

FILE - Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins celebrates after the team defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game in Cleveland, in this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, file photo. On Wednesday night, March 17, 2021, the Browns reached agreement with wide receiver Rashard Higgins on a one-year, $2.3 million deal. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
AP source: Browns agree to terms with former Rams CB Hill

By Tom Withers Mar. 18, 2021 02:30 PM EDT

FILE - In this Monday, Oct. 26, 2020 file photo, Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III, right, breaks up a pass intended for Chicago Bears wide receiver Anthony Miller during the second half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif. The Cleveland Browns made their agreement with free agent John Johnson III official on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 adding the safety to a secondary that was ravaged by injuries in 2020 and lacked a seasoned leader.(AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo, File)
Browns bolster secondary, officially add safety Johnson

By Tom Withers Mar. 17, 2021 05:32 PM EDT

Browns expected to upgrade shaky defense in free agency

By The Associated Press Mar. 12, 2021 05:54 PM EST
CLEVELAND BROWNS (12-6) UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DE Olivier Vernon, WRs Rashard Higgins and Taywan Taylor, CBs Terrance Mitchell and Kevin...

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes walks on the field before an NFL divisional round football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs 1/17/2021

Jan. 17, 2021 01:56 PM EST

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to Michael Thomas in the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Chicago Bears in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
The Latest: Browns open 28-0 lead over Steelers

By The Associated Press Jan. 10, 2021 12:22 PM EST

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) stretches for yardage during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Browns get back 3, not top corner Denzel Ward for Steelers

By Tom Withers Jan. 09, 2021 12:28 PM EST

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Browns don't practice again as COVID-19 wreaks havoc on team

By Tom Withers Jan. 07, 2021 11:45 AM EST

Cleveland Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) grimaces after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Browns lose DE Vernon for playoffs with torn Achilles tendon

By Tom Withers Jan. 04, 2021 01:01 PM EST

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski keeps watch before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Cleveland. After days of positive COVID-19 tests, disruptions and delays, the Browns found some normalcy and got to re-open their facility on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, to resume getting ready to play the Pittsburgh Steelers and possibly end a postseason drought stretching back to 2002.(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Browns lose another defender, CB Johnson added to COVID list

By Tom Withers Jan. 02, 2021 03:15 PM EST

The Galen Arena is closed due to a confirmed case of COVID-19 as the Southern California men's basketball team canceled an NCAA college basketball game against Stanford in Los Angeles, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
The Latest: Cardinals place WR Christian Kirk on COVID list

By The Associated Press Jan. 02, 2021 11:14 AM EST

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Browns lose CB Ward for Steelers game after positive test

By Tom Withers Dec. 31, 2020 10:55 AM EST

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Cleveland Browns at New York Jets 12/27/2020

Dec. 27, 2020 01:16 PM EST

Cleveland Browns' Olivier Vernon (54) tackles New York Giants' Wayne Gallman (22) with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Cleveland Browns at New York Giants 12/20/2020

Dec. 20, 2020 08:34 PM EST

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) passes against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans 12/6/2020

Dec. 06, 2020 01:22 PM EST

Cleveland Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki runs for a 50-yard interception return touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Philadelphia Eagles at Cleveland Browns 11/22/2020

Nov. 22, 2020 02:06 PM EST

Members of the Cleveland Browns stand for the national anthem as it rains and hails before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Cleveland. The game was delayed due to lightning. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns 11/15/2020

Nov. 15, 2020 01:42 PM EST

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Browns 10/11/2020

Oct. 11, 2020 04:56 PM EDT

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) jogs onto the field for warmups before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Cleveland Browns at Dallas Cowboys 10/4/2020

Oct. 04, 2020 12:30 PM EDT

Browns temper expectations, all eyes on QB Mayfield in 2020

By The Associated Press Aug. 26, 2020 01:33 PM EDT
CLEVELAND BROWNS (6-10) New faces: Coach Kevin Stefanski, RT Jack Conklin, rookie LT Jedrick Wills, TE Austin Hooper, LB B.J. Goodson, S...