Cleveland Browns
FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2020, file photo, Alabama offensive lineman Jedrick Wills runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. The Cleveland Browns have signed rookie tackle Wills, their first-round draft pick who will try to slide over to the left side in the NFL. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Browns sign 'Bama tackle Wills, team's first-round pick

By Tom Withers Jul. 07, 2020 09:35 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 30, 2020, file photo, NFL Players Association Executive director DeMaurice Smith speaks at the annual state of the union news conference in Miami Beach, Fla. The NFL and the NFLPA haven’t come to an agreement on all protocols for training camp and the preseason as the report date for teams draws closer. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
NFL, NFLPA still haven't resolved all protocol for camps

By Rob Maaddi Jul. 07, 2020 05:11 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon fights past a block by New England Patriots offensive tackle Marcus Cannon, rear, in the second half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass. The Browns have reconstructed defensive end Olivier Vernon's contract for next season, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press on Tuesday, July 7, 2020. Vernon's future with the Browns seemed uncertain as he was set to make $15.25 million in 2020. But the club reworked his deal and he'll earn $11 million, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team is not publicly disclosing the agreement.(AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
AP source: Browns restructure DE Olivier Vernon's contract

By Tom Withers Jul. 07, 2020 11:42 AM EDT

FILE - Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku celebrates after the Browns defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 27-19 in an NFL football game, Dec. 8, 2019 in Cleveland. Agent Drew Rosenhaus has asked the Browns to trade tight end and former first-round draft pick David Njoku, a person familiar with the request told the Associated Press on Friday, July 3, 2020. (AP Photo/David Richard, file)
AP Source: Agent asks Browns to trade tight end David Njoku

By Tom Withers Jul. 03, 2020 04:29 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 27, 2020, file phohto, Chicago Red Stars' Julie Ertz, second from left, holds Casey Short, center, while other players for the team kneel during the national anthem before an NWSL Challenge Cup soccer match against the Washington Spirit at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah. The National Women's Soccer League revised its anthem policy after most players knelt during the anthem before season-opening games last weekend at the Challenge Cup. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
Discourse over national anthem looms for NBA, other leagues

By Schuyler Dixon Jul. 03, 2020 02:55 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cleveland. NFLPA president JC Tretter warned players they have to "fight for necessary COVID-19 protections" and Malcolm Jenkins said "football is nonessential." With training camp less than a month away, some players are speaking out about concerns over playing football during a pandemic while others are ignoring medical advice and holding workouts with teammates. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
NFL players raise concerns on playing, others ignore advice

By Rob Maaddi Jul. 01, 2020 04:12 PM EDT

FILE - This Feb. 5, 2020, file photo shows Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, left, and general manager Andrew Berry posing for a photo after speaking during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility in Berea, Ohio. Dismayed by George Floyd's tragic death in Minneapolis yet strengthened by the nationwide wave of protests that followed, Berry, one of only two Black general managers in the NFL, felt compelled to do more. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, Fle)
GM Berry, Browns launch racial justice initiative for change

By Tom Withers Jun. 25, 2020 01:28 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, in Glendale, Ariz. Scared he jeopardized his NFL career when police found a small amount of marijuana in his car during a traffic stop, Hunt, who served an eight-game league suspension last season for physical altercations while with Kansas City, said Monday, June 22, 2020, that he's grateful the Browns have stood by him.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Browns' Hunt 'blessed' for another chance after traffic stop

By Tom Withers Jun. 22, 2020 02:27 PM EDT

Cowboys' Frederick wins Halas Award for overcoming adversity

By The Associated Press Jun. 22, 2020 01:33 PM EDT
Dallas Cowboys center Travis Frederick has won the George Halas Award presented by the Pro Football Writers of America. Frederick, who...

FILE - In this July 29, 2019, file photo, Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo watches a drill during NFL football training camp in St. Joseph, Mo. When the coronavirus pandemic forced everyone indoors — away from their everyday environments — creativity was the key. To working. To keeping in touch. And, for those making their living playing on football fields, to thinking up ways to bond as teammates. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NFL teams went high-tech for team bonding this offseason

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Jun. 19, 2020 11:20 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2019, file photo, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray watches from the sideline after getting injured in the in the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle. Murray says he’ll be kneeling for the national anthem this season. The Cardinals’ emerging star wasn’t particularly vocal about social issues during his first season but said that would change in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd, a black man, while in police custody in Minneapolis (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)
Cardinals QB Murray says he'll kneel for anthem this season

By David Brandt Jun. 17, 2020 04:40 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019 file photo, Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) passes against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL football game in Cleveland. Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield plans to kneel during the national anthem this upcoming season to support protests of social injustice, police brutality and racism, Saturday, June 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Mayfield "absolutely" will kneel during national anthem

Jun. 13, 2020 05:59 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2018, file photo, Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson (26) stands for the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn. NFL players who want to kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racism have far more support than Colin Kaepernick did four years ago. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)
Despite far more support, kneeling might not be widespread

By Rob Maaddi Jun. 11, 2020 05:14 PM EDT

This undated photo provided by the San Francisco 49ers shows Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Adofo-Mensah got a surprise when he was hired by the Browns. The team's new vice president received numerous congratulatory notes from strangers, proud black men like himself. He was hired in May 2020 as the new vice president of football operations for the Cleveland Browns after seven seasons with the 49ers. (San Francisco 49ers via AP)
Browns executive proud to be part of diverse front office

By Tom Withers Jun. 11, 2020 02:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Browns NFL Football head coach Kevin Stefanski answers a question during a news conference at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. When Stefanksi was hired by the Browns in January, the first-time NFL coach knew he'd face major challenges while preparing for his first season. Stefanski never imagined doing it in the midst of a global pandemic and nationwide civic unrest. (AP Photo/Phil Long, File)
Coach Stefanski bonding Browns amid pandemic, social unrest

By Tom Withers Jun. 10, 2020 06:31 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 4, 2018, file photo, then-Cleveland Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) sits on the bench before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, in Cleveland. Linebacker Christian Kirksey has agreed to terms on a deal with the Green Bay Packers less than a week after the Cleveland Browns released him. Kirksey’s agent, Brian Mackler, confirmed that Kirksey would be signing with the Packers but didn’t disclose terms. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Packers' Kirksey benefits from familiar face in new location

By Steve Megargee Jun. 10, 2020 06:23 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Browns NFL Football head coach Kevin Stefanski answers a question during a news conference at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. As part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship, the Cleveland Browns have welcomed six young coaches, including two women and former NFL player Leonard Hankerson, to take part in the final three weeks of their offseason program. "The Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship is the type of program that can be very impactful to the coaching hiring process,” said Browns first-year coach Kevin Stefanski. (AP Photo/Phil Long, File)
Browns welcome 6 coaches as part of diversity program

By Tom Withers Jun. 09, 2020 03:57 PM EDT

Texans' longtime special teams coach Brad Seely retiring

Jun. 05, 2020 05:42 PM EDT
HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Texans special teams coordinator Brad Seely is retiring after 31 seasons coaching in the NFL. Seely served as a...

FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2020, file photo, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. More than half of the 32 NFL teams will not have their coaching staffs back at their facilities Friday. June 5, 2020, even though the league has approved such returns where local governments allow them. Clubs with coaches in place at their training complexes were Super Bowl champion Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Denver, Dallas and Atlanta.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
More than half of NFL coaching staffs not at team facilities

By Barry Wilner Jun. 05, 2020 03:04 PM EDT

Jacksonville Jaguars assistant defensive line coach Dwayne Stukes walks with his family near the front of the line of players, staff and family members as they start a march from TIAA Bank Field to the Jacksonville Sheriff's office headquarters, Friday morning, June 5, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla., to protest against inequality and police brutality. (Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via AP)
'Today we say no more': Jaguars march to sheriff's office

By Teresa M. Walker Jun. 05, 2020 12:07 PM EDT