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Browns re-sign veteran defensive back for 2026 NFL season
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- Browns re-sign veteran defensive back for 2026 NFL season
The Cleveland Browns and general manager Andrew Berry have managed to find success throughout the 2026 NFL Free Agency period, addressing multiple areas of need this offseason.
Earlier this week, the front office made two massive splashes by signing guards Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins in order to revamp the offensive line for the 2026 season. In addition to bolstering the trenches on offense, Cleveland also walked away with former All-Pro linebacker Quincy Williams , reuniting him with newly-hired defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg.
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While the front office has slowed down its efforts in the free agency market over the past couple of days, the Browns still found a way to bring back a familiar face for the upcoming season on Thursday afternoon.
According to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, the Browns have re-signed former cornerback Tre Avery after being featured on the team's defense last season.
What Avery Brings to the Table for the Browns
Avery, a former UDFA out of Rutgers, has had an interesting career full of ups and downs. The 29-year-old veteran began his NFL journey back in 2022 with the Tennessee Titans as a rotational piece for the team's secondary unit. During his first season with the Titans, Avery played in 14 games and recorded nine pass deflections, which prompted the front office to keep him on the roster for two more seasons.
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However, after spending the 2023 and part of the 2024 seasons in Tennessee , Avery would eventually be cut by the Titans. And despite signing with the San Francisco 49ers in 2024, the longtime cornerback would not see the field.
Luckily for Avery, he would receive a second chance last year with the Browns, who were in desperate need of additional depth at the cornerback position. Avery would play in 10 games for Cleveland during the 2025 season, finishing with 14 tackles.
The Browns have been blessed with a star cornerback in Denzel Ward for the past several years, which has prevented the organization from making any franchise-altering moves in the cornerback department. But the main concern with the cornerback position for the Browns has been the depth behind Ward, with 2022 third-round pick Martin Emerson missing the entire 2025 season due to injury. Now, Cleveland lands a key depth piece for the foreseeable future to play behind the likes of Ward and Tyson Campbell .
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns re-sign veteran defensive back for 2026 NFL season
