The Cleveland Browns are taking a surprisingly quiet approach as NFL training camps prepare to kick off, opting for salary-cap discipline over blockbuster summer signings. While the front office secured offensive tackle Elgton Jenkins and edge defender A.J. Epenesa to fortify their depth, they have completely avoided the high-profile veteran market.
This conservative game plan has left fans scratching their heads, especially with franchise icon Nick Chubb and several other superstar playmakers still sitting on the open market waiting for a phone call.
Here is our official tiered scouting strategy for the top remaining free agents and where Cleveland’s front office stands in this high-stakes roster game:
S-Tier: The Offensive Weapons (Deebo Samuel & Stefon Diggs) — These are the ultimate plug-and-play game-changers. Samuel is actively searching for his next home after a stint with the Commanders, recently hinting on social media that he is ready for a championship run. Meanwhile, 32-year-old Diggs is on the market after his Patriots release, positioning himself as a lethal second receiver option.
While Cleveland could desperately use another explosive threat to take pressure off their passing game, the front office is steering clear of their hefty salary demands, prioritizing cap space for future extensions instead.
A-Tier: The High-Risk veterans (Nick Chubb & Joey Bosa) — This is where the emotional debate lives. Browns fans are practically begging Andrew Berry to bring Chubb home for a nostalgic reunion in the backfield. However, the analytics-driven front office is looking forward, choosing to invest in youth like Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson rather than a veteran coming off a Texans stint.
Similarly, edge rusher Joey Bosa remains unsigned, linked to a potential brotherly reunion in San Francisco or even early retirement. I believe Andrew Berry is playing a boring but smart long game, though ignoring a healthy Chubb could backfire spectacularly if their young backfield struggles to handle the physical AFC North trenches.
Top remaining NFL free agents as training camps get underway: • Deebo Samuel • Joey Bosa • Stefon Diggs • Nick Chubb • Tyreek Hill (recovering) Which team makes the biggest splash? 👀 July 19, 2026
— NFL Rumors Tracker (@NFLLockerRoom) July 19, 2026
B-Tier: The Injury Wildcard (Tyreek Hill) — Hill is the biggest mystery of the offseason. The Cheetah is still rehabbing from a devastating knee injury and ACL tear suffered last season, leaving his availability for the entire 2026 campaign in serious doubt. For a team like the Browns, signing Hill would be an expensive gamble with zero guarantee of a payout.
Ultimately, Cleveland’s quiet summer shows they are content with their current roster construction, leaving the league's remaining stars to fight for spots elsewhere as the preseason gets underway.