The Cleveland Browns aren't wasting any time as they work to finalize their 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's deadline. Just hours after wrapping up their preseason with a 37-13 win over the New England Patriots, the team announced a wave of roster moves, cutting 16 players in a single day.
Among the notable departures is veteran wide receiver Cedric Tillman, who was released before the preseason finale even kicked off. The team also terminated the contracts of cornerbacks Tre Avery and Tyler Hall, offensive tackle Tyre Phillips, and tight end Jack Stoll. In addition, 12 more players were waived, including tight ends Drew Biber and Jermaine Terry II, offensive tackles Jeremiah Byers and Izavion Miller, punter Nik Constantinou, safety Christopher Edmonds, cornerbacks Nate Evans and Jeremiah McClendon, defensive tackles Coziah Izzard and Patrick Jenkins, defensive end Jamil Muhammad, and wide receiver Ben Patterson.
These moves come as the Browns look to solidify their roster ahead of the regular season. The team's decision to cut Tillman, who was a third-round pick in 2023, may raise some eyebrows, but it also signals a shift in their receiver corps as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.
Quarterback Room in Flux
While the roster cuts are significant, the biggest question mark remains under center. The Browns are expected to keep Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders as their top two quarterbacks, but the battle for the third spot is far from settled.
Dillon Gabriel made a strong case for himself in the preseason finale, completing 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns. His performance has sparked debate about whether the Browns could consider trading Shedeur Sanders to make room for Gabriel. Rookie Taylen Green is also in the mix, and the competition is tight.
Head coach Todd Monken was tight-lipped when asked about the quarterback situation, saying, "I'm not going to get into that now. Andrew [Berry] and I haven't had a chance to really talk about that." The general manager and coach will have to make a decision soon, with the roster deadline looming.
The Browns' quarterback dilemma has been a hot topic all offseason, especially after reports that the front office overruled Monken on starting Watson. That controversy, combined with Gabriel's impressive play, has created an unfair quarterback battle that could have lasting implications.
As the team prepares for Week 1, the focus will be on finalizing the roster and getting ready for the regular season. The Browns have until 6 p.m. Sunday to make their final cuts, and fans will be watching closely to see who makes the team.
