NFL free agency 2024: Browns announce deals for 4 free agents, including Maurice Hurst II

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NFL free agency 2024: Browns announce deals for 4 free agents, including Maurice Hurst II

Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Fri, Mar 15, 2024 ·

29 min read

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Free agency has arrived for the Browns .

Coming off an 11-6 regular season and an AFC wild card berth in the playoffs, Cleveland has turned its eyes on upgrading its roster to improve on those results. The Browns already notched one big move even before free agency, agreeing Saturday to a trade with the Denver Broncos to acquire wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in exchange for a fifth- (No. 135) and sixth-round (No. 202) picks in April's draft.

Teams start negotiating with free agents at noon Monday. Any deals, be it free-agent or trades, can't become official until the new league year begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Check back here for updates as the Browns work on putting together the 2024 roster, or as members of their 2023 roster find new homes.

Friday's free-agency news

Browns announce deals for Corey Bojorquez , Devin Bush Jr., Maurice Hurst II, Giovanni Ricci

The Browns officially announced the previously reported free-agent deals with linebacker Devin Bush Jr. and tight end Giovanni Ricci on Friday. They also announced the re-signing of two of their own free agents, punter Corey Bojorquez and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II.

The only previously reported deals that haven't been announced are for quarterback Jameis Winston and cornerback/special teamer Tony Brown II.

Browns restructure newly acquired Jerry Jeudy 's contract

The need for salary cap room was going to require the Browns to re-work some money on contracts. The obvious candidates were always viewed as the ones who were already on the roster.

However, even the newest Browns are involved as well. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy had his contract restructured by the team to help create "north of $10 million" in cap space, according to ESPN's Field Yates.

Jeudy, who was acquired this week in a trade with the Denver Broncos, arrived with a $12.987 million salary for the upcoming season after the Broncos had picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. However, the Browns are converting a portion of that into a bonus, much as they did with left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr . a week earlier.

Thursday's free-agency news

Browns agree to deal with former first-round LB Devin Bush Jr.

The Browns lost both of their starting linebackers on Monday to free agency when Anthony Walker Jr. and Sione Takitaki left. They've already replaced one with veteran free agent Jordan Hicks .

Now, the Browns are bringing in another potential replacement. A league source confirmed for the Beacon Journal a report by ESPN's Adam Schefter that former first-round pick Devin Bush Jr. will be signing a deal with the team.

Bush, 25, was originally the 10th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2019 draft out of the University of Michigan. However, after four seasons in Pittsburgh, he spent this past year with the Seattle Seahawks .

The 5-foot-11, 234-pound Bush played in 13 games for the Seahawks, starting three. He had 37 total tackles and five tackles for loss.

Bush's four-year stint in Pittsburgh was hampered by a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his second season in 2020, which limited him to just five games. That came on the heels of a very productive rookie season in which he had 109 total tackles, a sack, one forced fumble, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions while finishing third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

Browns announce re-signing of OL Michael Dunn, DT Shelby Harris

Browns officially announce they've re-signed offensive guard Michael Dunn and defensive tackle Shelby Harris. They join defensive end Za'Darius Smith, defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II, offensive tackle Hakeem Adeniji , linebacker Jordan Hicks, running back/return man Nyheim Hines and wide receiver Jerry Jeudy as recent offseason moves that have been made official.

The Browns still haven't announced reported deals with quarterback Jameis Winston, defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson , cornerback Tony Brown II, tight end/H-back Giovanni Ricci and punter Corey Bojorquez.

Dunn has appeared in 40 games with the Browns with six starts since 2020. He appeared in 12 games with two starts at left guard in 2023.

Harris was originally signed with the Browns this past August. He appeared in 17 regular-season games with seven starts and had 28 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Free-agent linebacker Devin Bush Jr. to visit Browns Thursday

The Browns lost both of their starting linebackers on Monday to free agency when Anthony Walker Jr. and Sione Takitaki left. They've already replaced one with veteran free agent Jordan Hicks.

Now, the Browns are taking a look at another potential replacement. A league source confirmed for the Beacon Journal a report by ESPN's Adam Schefter that former first-round pick Devin Bush Jr. will be visiting the team on Thursday.

The 5-foot-11, 234-pound Bush played in 13 games for the Seahawks, starting three. He had 37 total tackles and five tackles for loss.

In Bush's last two seasons with the Steelers after coming back from the injury, he had just 151 total tackles combined, with just one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He played in 31 of a possible 34 games, with 28 starts.

Browns bring in another defensive tackle in ex-Jet Quinton Jefferson

After locking up a couple of their own free-agent defensive tackles, the Browns targeted one who wasn't with the team a season ago. They've agreed to a one-year deal with former New York Jets defensive tackle Qunton Jefferson, a league source told the Beacon Journal.

The 6-foot-4, 291-pound Jefferson will turn 31 on March 31. He has played in 103 career regular-season games since being a fifth-round draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2016.

Jefferson started all 14 games he played with the Jets last season, with six sacks, 13 quarterback hits, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and 34 total tackles. That was his only season in New York after a career that took him from Seattle (2016-19) to the Buffalo Bills (2020) to the Las Vegas Raiders (2021) before going back to the Seahawks in 2022 ahead of his Jets tenure.

The University of Maryland product has 26.5 career sacks in the regular season, and another three in eight career playoff games. He's also forced four career fumbles and recovered four.

Wednesday's free-agency news

Special teams ace Tony Brown agrees to deal with Browns

The Browns added special teams ace Tony Brown on a one-year deal Wednesday night. Houston KPRC-TV's Aaron Wilson was the first to report.

Brown, 28, spent the last two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts . He played for current Browns special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone during the 2022 season.

The University of Alabama product also played two seasons with the Green Bay Packers (2018-19) and one season with the Cincinnati Bengals (2020). He's played in 61 career games.

Of his 1,591 career snaps, 1,057 have been on special teams. He's also played 494 snaps as a defensive back.

Browns find a new reserve tight end, blocking fullback in Giovanni Ricci

The Browns lost one of their tight ends earlier Wednesday when Harrison Bryant agreed to a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. They also lost one of their best short-yardage fullbacks when Nick Harris signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

They replaced both of them that night by agreeing to terms with former Carolina Panthers tight end Giovanni Ricci, a league source confirmed for the Beacon Journal.

Ricci, 27, is a Loveland, Ohio, native. The former Western Michigan University product was an undrafted free agent when he initially signed with the Panthers practice squad in 2020.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Ricci made his Panthers debut in 2021, and played in 31 games over his first two seasons, including four starts. He was limited this past season to just five games due to a shoulder injury that landed him on injured reserve.

Ricci had nine catches on 12 targets for 102 yards over his three seasons with the Panthers.

Joe Flacco finds new home with Indianapolis Colts

It didn't take Joe Flacco long to get over whatever disappointment he may have had over being spurned by the Browns. The quarterback who went 4-1 in December to help the Browns reach the playoffs — earning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award — this past season reached a deal Wednesday evening with the Indianapolis Colts.

Flacco, 39, was thought by some to be one of the favorites to return to the Browns as the backup to what is expected to be a healthy Deshaun Watson . However, the Browns elected to reach an agreement with Jameis Winston, who spent the past four seasons with the New Orleans Saints .

With the Colts, Flacco will likely back up second-year pro Anthony Richardson . The No. 4 pick in last April's draft, Richardson saw his rookie year end with a mid-October shoulder surgery.

Flacco's story has been well-told by this point. He did not sign with an NFL team during the 2023 offseason and did not get a workout until the Browns brought him in for one on Nov. 10 after Watson's injury. The former Super Bowl Most Valuable Player was originally signed to the practice squad on Nov. 20.

The 16-year pro took over the starting quarterback job in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Rams after Dorian Thompson-Robinson sustained a concussion the previous week. Flacco, after losing his Browns debut, won his next four starts, throwing for more than 300 yards in each to help Cleveland secure just its third playoff berth since 1999.

Flacco, who completed 60.3% of his passes for 1,616 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions in the regular season, struggled in the AFC wild card loss at the Houston Texans . Although he passed for 307 yards and a touchdown, he also threw two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns.

Hakeem Adeniji, Jordan Hicks, Nyheim Hines signings, Jerry Jeudy trade official

The Browns officially announced the deals completed with offensive tackle Hakeem Adeniji, linebacker Jordan Hicks and running back/return man Nyheim Hines shortly after the 4 p.m. Wednesday start of the new league year. They had previously announced the re-signing of defensive end Za'Darius Smith.

The Browns also announced the trade with the Denver Broncos to acquire wide receiver Jerry Jeudy from the Denver Broncos. The deal, agreed to this past Saturday, sends a fifth- and a sixth-round pick in this April's draft to Denver.

"I had heard that the Browns were interested in me even two years ago," Jeudy said in a statement from the team. "To hear that, and then be here now is exciting. It's surreal. I feel like I am wanted, and the team has really made me feel welcomed. The Browns already had a great receiving corps with guys like Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore and I think I will fit in with them. Amari is actually a guy I've been modeling my game after since I was young and we became friends while I was at Bama. I am excited to see what the future holds."

Three players who the Browns have re-signed — punter Corey Bojorquez and defensive tackles Maurice Hurst II and Shelby Harris — have yet to be officially announced. The signing of quarterback Jameis Winston can't become official until the New Orleans Saints officially announce his release.

Browns make Za'Darius Smith re-signing official

While most of the deals the Browns have made can't be official until the new league year begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday, they were able to announce the new two-year deal defensive end Za'Darius Smith signed with the team.

"There's something special brewing here in Cleveland," Smith said in a release from the team. "Last year was the start of it and I'm just so happy to be able to come back. [...] Happy that I get a chance to continue my career here in Cleveland."

Smith, who will be 32 on Sept. 8, was picked up in a mid-May trade with the Minnesota Vikings . He provided the perfect counterweight to eventual NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett , even though his 5.5 sacks was well below the three double-digit sack seasons he had posted in 2019 and 2020 with the Green Bay Packers and in 2022 with the Vikings.

The 6-foot-4, 275-pound University of Kentucky product was a constant presence in the opposing backfield for the Browns. He had 61 total pressures, which was tied for the third-best total in his nine-year career, and 40 quarterback hurries.

"That's just the start," Smith said in a release. "And that was just the first year, so picture how we can be year two and year three. It's gonna be big man. And I'm just excited because this locker room, it's a brotherhood and we get a chance to basically be together each and every day. We go out to eat on Wednesdays. Monday night, we watch Monday Night Football. So, it's really like a brotherhood."

Tight end Harrison Bryant takes one-year deal with Las Vegas Raiders

The Browns will be in the market for a No. 2 tight end after Harrison Bryant agreed to a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Schefter reported the deal is worth $3.25 million, but could get up to $4 million.

Bryant was the No. 2 tight end behind David Njoku after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 draft. He finished his Browns career with 89 catches for 791 yards and 10 touchdowns, including 13 catches for 81 yards and three touchdowns this past season.

Center Nick Harris heading back to Seattle, signing with Seahawks

The Browns lost a second member of their 2020 draft class to free agency on Wednesday when center Nick Harris signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

For Harris, a California native, it's a chance to return a city in which he's quite familiar. He attended the University of Washington, which is also located in Seattle.

Harris' career in Cleveland is best known for an unfortunate season-ending knee injury on the second play of the 2022 preseason opener in Jacksonville . He came back last season to carve out a role as not only the backup center, but also the fullback in the Browns' short-yardage package.

Punter Corey Bojorquez returns to Browns on 2-year deal

Punter Corey Bojorquez will be returning to the Browns on a 2-year deal, a league source told the Beacon Journal.

Bojorquez, 27, has played the past two seasons in Cleveland after three years with the Buffalo Bills and one with the Green Bay Packers. This past two seasons, he averaged 49 yards on 148 punts, with a 41.5-yard net.

This past season was Bojorquez's best with the Browns. He averaged 49,4 yards on 87 punts with a net of 42.2 yards, while putting 35.6% (31 punts) inside the opponent's 20-yard line.

Bojorquez did miss the Week 17 win over the New York Jets with a quadricep injury. He sustained the injury the previous game when he handled the kickoff chores after kicker Dustin Hopkins sustained a hamstring injury.

Bojorquez has also handled the holder's duties on field goals and point-after kicks.

Details of Browns' deal with QB Jameis Winston come to light

The Browns' deal with quarterback Jameis Winston was originally reported as a one-year deal "up to $8.7 million" by Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz. On Wednesday morning, that deal was better spelled out.

According to the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Winston's base value will be $4 million, with a $1.21-million guaranteed base salary and a $2.79-million signing bonus. He can earn up to $4.7 million in incentives.

Winston's deal, along with all of the other ones the Browns have agreed to since Monday afternoon, can become official Wednesday at 4 p.m. The trade with the Denver Broncos for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy can also become official, pending a physical.

Tuesday's free-agency news

Browns DT Jordan Elliott reportedly headed to 49ers

Jordan Elliott became the first of the Browns primary defensive line rotation to depart this offseason. The defensive tackle has agreed to a two-year, $10-million contract with the San Francisco 49ers, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Add Shelby Harris to Browns returnees on defensive line

The Browns brought back a pair of productive defensive linemen on Monday with defensive end Za'Darius Smith and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II. On Tuesday, they brought back another one by agreeing to a new deal with defensive tackle Shelby Harris.

Harris, 32, was originally signed by the Browns during training camp last season after eight seasons with the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks. He turned into a one of their best tackles, playing in all 17 games while making 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and six tackles for loss.

The only member of the Browns' primary defensive line rotation from last season who remains a free agent currently is defensive tackle Jordan Elliott. The rest of the group is all under contract for the upcoming season.

Browns adding former Bengals, Vikings offensive tackle Hakeem Adeniji

Offensive tackle was a position that was as injury-prone as any for the Browns this past season. They lost three starters at the position to season-ending injuries: left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. and right tackles Jack Conklin and Dawand Jones .

The Browns added some depth to that spot on Tuesday by agreeing to a deal with 26-year-old Hakeem Adeniji. Adeniji spent last season with the Minnesota Vikings after spending three years with the Cincinnati Bengals, who had drafted him in the sixth round out of the University of Kansas in 2020.

Adeniji has played in 43 games over four seasons, with 15 starts. He only played in four games with no starts in Minnesota last season.

Offensive lineman Michael Dunn re-signs with the Browns

The Browns made what would seem like a relatively small move Tuesday afternoon that is far from that, agreeing to a new one-year deal with offensive lineman Michael Dunn. Dunn's agent, David Canter, announced the deal on X.

Dunn has emerged as a key piece of the Browns' offensive line as a reserve. This past season, he started in place of an injured Joel Bitonio at left guard in a Week 6 win over the San Francisco 49ers, then came in for Bitonio in Week 15 against the Chicago Bears .

Browns agree to deal with Jameis Winston as backup QB

The Browns have their backup quarterback. It's just not the backup quarterback many went into free agency expecting them to end up signing.

Former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston and the Browns agreed a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million on Tuesday. Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz was the first to report the sides were nearing a deal.

"Yes, I still envision myself as a starter, however the Lord has also called me to lead by impacting and increasing the men who are around me," Winston told CBSSports' Josina Anderson, via Anderson's X (formerly Twitter) page. "Having the opportunity to work with Deshaun (Watson) and help him be the best he can possibly be, is my main mission. Now, if Deshaun has to heal up for whatever reason, and I have to take a few games off of him, I'm going to be ready to do that; but I have to fulfill God's purpose first before my own heart's desire. Because ultimately I desire to win some Super Bowls, and this roster that Cleveland got, looks like they can do it."

Word of the Browns' interest in the 30-year-old Winston first emerged Monday night, shortly after one potential option — Jacoby Brissett — signed with the New England Patriots. Brissett was among a handful of potential targets that also included other former Browns, specifically Joe Flacco.

Browns agree to deal with running back/return man Nyheim Hines

The Browns have been looking for the ideal return man. They may have just found him, assuming he can return to his pre-injury form.

Former Buffalo Bills running back/return man Nyheim Hines has agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $3.5 million with the Browns, a league source confirmed for the Beacon Journal. ESPN's Adam Schefter was the first to report.

Hines missed all of this past season after suffering a torn ACL after getting hit while riding a jet ski last July. The Bills released him earlier this month.

When healthy, Hines has been outstanding returning kicks an punts. He's averaged 25.5 yards on 32 career kickoff returns, and 11.4 on 89 career punt returns, with two touchdowns each.

Hines also worked with Browns special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone while he played in Indianapolis from 2018 until he was traded to the Bills in 2022. With Buffalo, he worked under offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, who is now the Browns' offensive coordinator.

Browns, Jameis Winston 'close to' deal as backup QB

The Browns and quarterback Jameis Winston appear to be closing in on a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million, according to Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz. Winston would come in to be Deshaun Watson's backup, assuming Watson has fully recovered from the shoulder surgery which he underwent last November.

Winston, the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, spent the last four seasons with the New Orleans Saints. He played in 21 games in that span, starting 10.

Potential Browns running back targets Aaron Jones, Zack Moss sign

Aaron Jones was a surprising addition to the free-agent market on the first day of the negotiating period. The veteran running back was cut by the Green Bay Packers shortly after they agreed to a deal with 2022 league rushing champion Josh Jacobs.

The Browns seemed like a potential landing spot for Jones given the need for an insurance policy while Nick Chubb continues to recover from his two knee surgeries from this past season. It was clear they were in the market for why by their reported interest in former Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss.

Moss, though, was snapped up by the Browns' AFC North rival, the Cincinnati Bengals, late Monday night. The Bengals, in turn, released their own seven-year veteran, Joe Mixon.

Jones, meanwhile, was one of the first big deals of Tuesday morning. The running back clearly isn't happy about being cut by the Packers, as The Athletic's Diana Russini is reporting that he'll sign with Green Bay's NFC North rivals, the Minnesota Vikings.

Monday's free-agency news

Former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston on the Browns' radar

The Browns may be going away from what many thought would be the path of bringing back one of their own quarterbacks to be Deshaun Watson's backup.

Former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston has drawn the interest of the Browns during the open day of the free-agency period, a league source confirmed for the Beacon Journal. The Boston Globe's Ben Volin was the first to report the interest.

Winston, 30, has spent the last four seasons with the New Orleans Saints. Previous to that, he spent five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who had made him the top overall pick in the 2015 draft out of Florida State University.

The big-armed Winston wasn't necessarily on outside radars to fill the backup role behind Watson when the free-agent negotiating period opened Monday at noon. The common thought was that the Browns were going to potentially pull from one of their recent quarterbacks, such as Jacoby Brissett, Joe Flacco or Joshua Dobbs.

Brissett agreed to a deal with the New England Patriots on Monday. Many thought that would lead to a reunion with Flacco, who became a fan favorite when he went 4-1 for the Browns in December as their fourth starting quarterback.

Instead, it's Winston, who has started 80 of the 93 career games in which he has played, who has emerged. He's only appeared in 21 games, starting 10, over his four seasons with the Saints.

Browns sign LB Jordan Hicks as Anthony Walker Jr., Sione Takitaki depart

The Browns quickly found a replacement for departed linebackers Anthony Walker Jr. and Sione Takitaki on Monday.

Linebacker Jordan Hicks and the Browns agreed to a two-year deal, a league source confirmed for the Beacon Journal. Hicks will be signing a deal worth $8 million.

Hicks, 31, spent the last two seasons playing for the Minnesota Vikings. He is a native of the Cincinnati area, having attended Lakota West High School before playing collegiately at the University of Texas.

Former Browns QB Jacoby Brissett back to Patriots

Jacoby Brissett, according to multiple reports, is going to be signing with the New England Patriots. The move reunites the quarterback with the team that drafted him and the offensive coordinator, Alex Van Pelt, who coached him with the Browns in 2022.

Brissett, who spent this past season with the Washington Commanders, started the first 11 games of the 2022 season for the Browns while Deshaun Watson was suspended. He's viewed as the likely bridge starter for the Patriots to whatever quarterback they draft with the No. 3 pick in the NFL draft.

The move also likely opens the door for Joe Flacco to re-sign with Cleveland. The Patriots were seen as one of the few teams where Flacco may have had a chance to start, something he was looking for in free agency.

Browns bringing back Za'Darius Smith, Maurice Hurst II to No. 1 defense

The Browns had the NFL's No. 1 defense during the regular season this past year. So they're trying their best to run it all back.

On the first day of the NFL's free-agent negotiation period, the Browns agreed to terms on deals with defensive end Za'Darius Smith and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II, a league source confirmed for the Beacon Journal. Smith will sign a two-year, $23.5-million deal, while Hurst's deal is for one year and $3.2 million.

Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz was the first to report the Smith deal. ESPN's Adam Schefter was the first on Hurst.

Browns defensive leader Anthony Walker Jr. going home to South Florida with Dolphins

Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. was always, at best, a 50-50 proposition to return for another season with the Browns. So it wasn't a surprise to see that Walker will head back home to South Florida, signing a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins.

Walker, who spent the past three seasons with the Browns, originally hailed from Miami. ESPN's Adam Schefter was first to report.

Walker has seen his last two seasons end early with injuries.

Cornerback/special teamer Mike Ford Jr. heading to Houston Texans

The Browns lost the first of their own unrestricted free agents. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that cornerback/special teamer Mike Ford Jr. will be signing a two-year, $4.5-million deal.

Ford played in 16 regular-season games, starting one, for the Browns this past season. He had an interception in the Week 10 win at the Baltimore Ravens.

Christian Wilkins hits the jackpot in Las Vegas, not with Browns

The story of the first 90 minutes of the negotiating period, at least for the Browns, is watching potential targets get the bag somewhere else. First it was Jonathan Greenard going from Houston to the Minnesota Vikings.

Now, it's former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, the top defensive tackle on the market, cashing in with the Las Vegas Raiders. Specifically, ,he'll land a four-year, $110-million contract, including $84.75 million guaranteed.

Wlkins takes advantage of the defensive tackle market getting set by a pair of extensions signed this past weekend. The Baltimore Ravens locked up Justin Madubuike in a four-year, $98-million ($75.5 million guaranteed) deal, while the Kansas City Chiefs signed Chris Jones to a five-year, $158.75-million ($101 millions guaranteed) deal.

No Jonathan Greenard for Cleveland Browns defensive line

One intriguing defensive end target on the free agent market was Houston Texans star Jonathan Greenard. The 26-year-old was coming off a season in which he had 12.5 sacks in 15 games for the eventual AFC South champions.

Greenard's defensive line coach, Jacques Cesaire, was hired by the Browns in late January. However, Greenard won't be joining him, as NFL Network is reporting he will sign with the Minnesota Vikings.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Greenard's deal will be a four-year, $76 million deal, including $42 million guaranteed.

That's one of a couple of major moves that have happened so far in the first 45 minutes of the negotiating period. The Chicago Bears have also agreed to a deal with former Philadelphia Eagles running back D'Andre Swift, a player who had been linked to the Browns by some leading up to Monday.

Could Zack Moss be an option for the Browns at running back?

The Browns still don't know when four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb will actually return to the field. He continues to recover from the two surgeries he had last fall on the knee he injured in Week 2 at Pittsburgh.

That has opened the door to some conversation about signing a veteran running back to at least take some carries off of Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr. One name that has emerged is former Indianapolis Colts Zack Moss, whom Houston KPRC-TV's Aaron Wilson reported that is a potential target for the Browns, among other teams.

Moss rushed for 794 yards and five touchdowns on 183 carries for the Colts last season. He started eight games in place of Jonathan Taylor, who was injured.

Cleveland Browns players who are unrestricted free agents

According to Spotrac , the Browns have 23 free agents this offseason. Here's a list of those free agents, in alphabetical order, as well as where they ultimately sign, if they do:

Matthew Adams, linebacker
Corey Bojorquez, punter — Re-signs with Cleveland Browns
Harrison Bryant, tight end — Signs with Las Vegas Raiders
Geron Christian, offensive tackle
Michael Dunn, offensive lineman — Re-signs with Cleveland Browns
Jordan Elliott, defensive tackle — Signs with San Francisco 49ers
Joe Flacco, quarterback — Signs with Indianapolis Colts
Mike Ford Jr., cornerback — Signs with Houston Texans
Marquise Goodwin, receiver
Jakeem Grant, receiver/return man
Kahlef Hailassie, cornerback (restricted free agent)
Duron Harmon, safety
Nick Harris, offensive lineman — Signs with Seattle Seahawks
Shelby Harris, defensive tackle — Re-signs with Cleveland Browns
Kareem Hunt, running back
Maurice Hurst II, defensive tackle — Re-signs with Cleveland Browns
Jordan Kunaszyk, linebacker
Rodney McLeod, safety
Jacob Phillips, linebacker
James Proche II, receiver/return man
Za'Darius Smith, defensive end — Re-signs with Cleveland Browns
Sione Takitaki, linebacker — Signs with New England Patriots
Anthony Walker Jr., linebacker — Signs with Miami Dolphins

Cleveland Browns pre-free agency links

Offensive free agents: Who are the potential 2024 free agents on offense the Cleveland Browns may target?

Defensive free agents: Who are the potential 2024 free agents on defense the Cleveland Browns may target?

Cleveland Browns positional needs: Browns' receiver questions potentially has multiple answers for GM Andrew Berry to find

Cleveland Browns positional needs: Defensive line again an 'important position' for Browns to upgrade this offseason

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns, NFL free agency tracker 2024: See who gets signed

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