Austin Hooper
FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2021, file photo, Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III runs during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Inglewood, Calif. As the market for top-tier edge rushers shrunk early in NFL free agency, the Cleveland Browns agreed to terms with Johnson, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
AP source: Browns signing S Johnson, edge rushers elusive

By Tom Withers Mar. 15, 2021 05:13 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2020, file photo, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott throws a pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys and Prescott have finally agreed on a contract two years after negotiations began with the star quarterback. The team the agreement was reached Monday, March 8, 2021, with further details to be announced. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
Recent history of free agency shows it's a cautionary tale

By Josh Dubow Mar. 11, 2021 12:39 PM EST

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

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs past Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Same old Browns? Hardly. Cleveland drills Steelers 48-37

By Will Graves Jan. 10, 2021 11:52 PM EST

Cleveland Browns strong safety Karl Joseph (42) recovers a fumbled in the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021.(AP Photo/Don Wright)
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers 1/10/2021

Jan. 10, 2021 08:38 PM EST

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) breaks a tackle from Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) for a 47-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns 1/3/2021

Jan. 03, 2021 01:28 PM EST

Cleveland Browns' Malcolm Smith (56) tackles New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Browns fumble away first shot at playoffs amid wild weekend

By Tom Withers Dec. 28, 2020 05:40 PM 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

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, center, talks to quarterback Colt McCoy (12) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Giants gamble against explosive Browns and come up a loser

Dec. 20, 2020 11:40 PM EST

Cleveland Browns' Jarvis Landry (80) catches a pass for a touchdown as New York Giants' Isaac Yiadom (27) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Mayfield, Browns move closer to playoffs, top Giants 20-6

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Dec. 20, 2020 11:19 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

FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett rushes the passer during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Cleveland. Garrett on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, was named the Browns' Walter Payton Man of the Year, which annually recognizes the NFL’s best players for their excellence on the field and dedication to community service. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Browns' Garrett still not all the way back after COVID

By Tom Withers Dec. 18, 2020 08:44 PM EST

FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) intercepts a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) during an NFL football game in Cleveland. The Browns may have their best cornerback in the lineup on Sunday for the first of two straight weekend trips to New York. Cornerback Denzel Ward, who playing at a Pro Bowl level when he got hurt, returned to practice Wednesday after missing three games with a strained calf. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin, File)
Browns CB Ward practices after missing 3 games with injury

By Tom Withers Dec. 16, 2020 02:43 PM EST

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt scores a 22-yard touchdown after a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Cleveland. The Ravens won 47-42. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Browns learn tough lesson in gut-wrenching loss to Ravens

By Tom Withers Dec. 15, 2020 04:44 PM EST

Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins, right, celebrates his two-point conversion with an unidentified teammate during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Cleveland. Cleveland safety Andrew Sendejo sustained a concussion from a collision with Dobbins on the play. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Ravens' Dobbins deletes tweet after Browns' Sendejo hurt

By Tom Withers Dec. 15, 2020 02:51 PM EST

FILE - Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski looks on in the first half during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Baltimore. Other than it being his coaching debut with the Browns, Kevin Stefanski has no fond memories of Cleveland's opener at Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams, File)
Ravens get back Andrews; Hooper out for Browns

By Tom Withers Dec. 14, 2020 07:12 PM EST

Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper, right, catches a touchdown pass in front of Jacksonville Jaguars safety Jarrod Wilson, left, and cornerback Tre Herndon, center, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Browns minus CB Ward against Ravens, TE Hooper questionable

By Tom Withers Dec. 12, 2020 05:42 PM EST

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) caches a 17-yard touchdown pass ahead of Tennessee Titans cornerback Breon Borders (39) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Browns find rhythm, respect in signature win against Titans

By Tom Withers Dec. 07, 2020 03:24 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

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dawuane Smoot (94) celebrates after sacking Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars 11/29/2020

Nov. 29, 2020 01:40 PM EST