CLEVELAND — NFL free agency for the 2024 season is underway, and 3News is tracking every major signing, trade and release made by the Cleveland Browns.
The "legal tampering" period, during which teams are permitted to begin negotiations with free agents, began at 12 p.m. on Monday and ended at 3:59 p.m. on Wednesday.
During that time period, many reported agreements between teams and players happened, which became official during the free agency, which started at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13.
Ahead of free agency, the Browns were active after reports came in on Saturday that the team traded their fifth and sixth-round draft picks to the Denver Broncos for WR Jerry Jeudy. This deal has now been finalized.
What follows are the latest time-stamped updates, signings and news as NFL free agency 2024 gets underway:
Wednesday, March 20
2:06 p.m. - The Cleveland Browns are reportedly signing former Chicago Bears RB D'Onta Foreman, according to Adam Schefter.
Thursday, March 14
4:36 p.m. - Devin Bush's visit with the Browns apparently went very well. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Browns have agreed to terms on a one-year-deal with the veteran linebacker and former first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bush most recently played for the Seahawks.
8:54 a.m. - Free agent linebacker, Devin Bush, who last played for the Seattle Seahawks is reportedly visiting with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, per Adam Schefter.
8:20 a.m. Cleveland Browns have reportedly agreed to terms on a 1-year-deal with former New York Jets DL Quinton Jefferson, per Mary Kay Cabot
Wednesday, March 13
7:28 p.m. - Joe Flacco's time in Cleveland has officially come to an end, with Adam Schefter reporting the 39-year-old quarterback is signing with the Indianapolis Colts to be Anthony Richardson's backup. He will make up to $8.7 million, which is equal to Jameis Winston's planned salary in Cleveland.
4:36 p.m. - With the NFL season officially underway, the Browns are starting to officially announce signings and trades. That includes the agreed deal with the Broncos for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.
“I had heard that the Browns were interested in me even two years ago," Jeudy wrote in a statement released by the Browns. "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.”
Also making a statement through the Browns was re-signed defensive end Za'Darius Smith.
“There's something special brewing here in Cleveland. Last year was the start of it and I'm just so happy to be able to come back. I’m excited because this locker room, it's a brotherhood. To be around great guys like Myles (Garrett), Ogbo (Okoronkwo) and Shelby Harris and the guys on the offensive side of the ball, too. Just to be back with them was big for me. I'm just so happy that I get a chance to continue my career here in Cleveland.”
1:10 p.m. - Former Cleveland Browns TE Harrison Bryant has reached an agreement with the Raiders, per Adam Schefter
9:49 a.m. - After three seasons with the Cleveland Browns, OL Nick Harris has agreed to a one-year, $2.51 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks, per Tom Pelissero.
7:01 a.m. - Cleveland Browns agree to a two-year deal with punter Corey Bojorquez, per Tom Withers of the Associated Press.
Tuesday, March 12
5:45 p.m. - Let's check social media for some reaction to the moves the Browns have made over the last two days.
First off, new RB/KR Nyheim Hines has officially greeted Browns fans.
On the flip side, former Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki bid farewell to Cleveland fans on Instagram after agreeing to terms with New England on Monday.
‘"Just want to thank the city of Cleveland and the Browns organization for the last 5 years. Thank you for excepting me and my family with open arms. Built bonds that will last a lifetime. Forever love!!"
Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah bid farewell to both Takitaki and Anthony Walker Jr. as the two depart from Cleveland.
4:26 p.m. - According to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, former Browns defensive lineman Jordan Elliott has agreed to a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers worth $10 million.
1:59 p.m. - Shelby Harris confirmed that he is re-signing with the Browns via his X (formerly known as Twitter) account.
Contract details have yet to be released.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Browns have added depth to their offensive tackle unit by singing Hakeem Adeniji.
Adeniji has appeared in 43 games, starting 15, throughout his four-year career. He spent his first three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals before signing with the Minnesota Vikings for the 2023 season.
He played in four games last year but did not start in any of those games.
1:06 p.m. - The Browns have resigned OL Michael Dunn, according to his agent.
11:34 a.m. - ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Browns have agreed to terms with former Bills RB and return specialist Nyheim Hines on a one-year deal worth $3.5 million.
The 27-year-old Hines missed all of 2023 due to a boating accident in which he suffered a torn ACL after being struck by a jet skier in North Carolina.
During his time in Buffalo, Hines is best remembered for returning two kickoffs for touchdowns against New England in the 2022 regular-season finale.
11:00 a.m. - According to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, free agent quarterback Jameis Winston is signing with the Browns to backup Deshaun Watson. Per Schultz, Winston is expected to sign a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million.
So what does this mean for the Browns? It means that Joe Flacco will likely be playing somewhere else in 2024 with Cleveland expected to have a quarterback room with Watson, Winston, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Winston, who won the Heisman Trophy at Florida State in 2013, is 30-years-old. He was taken first overall by Tampa Bay in the 2015 NFL Draft and spent the first five years of his career with the Bucs. Winston has spent the last four seasons with the Saints, appearing in a total of 21 games with 10 starts. In 2023, he appeared in seven games and completed 25 of 47 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns.
Monday, March 11
8:50 p.m. - After five seasons in Cleveland, linebacker Sione Takitaki has signed with the New England Patriots. The former third-round pick tallied 65 tackles and two sacks in 2023, along with three pass deflections and an interception.
Takitaki thanked Browns fans in a post on his Instagram account:
8:39 p.m. - The Browns continue to address their defense with the addition of linebacker Jordan Hicks. He joins Cleveland on a two-year deal worth $8 million.
The 31-year-old, nine-year vet played most recently for the Minnesota Vikings. Hicks has totaled at least 100 tackles in each of his last five seasons.
5:45 p.m. - The Cleveland Browns have made their first official splash into free agency by resigning two important pieces to their revamped defense under DC Jim Schwartz.
Within minutes of each other, both DE Za'Darius Smith and DT Maurice Hurst were reported to have resigned with Cleveland.
Smith returns to the Browns after a 2023 season that saw him play in 16 games, recording 5.5 sacks. The three-time Pro Bowler will continue to provide another pass rushing threat on the opposite side of NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
5:38 p.m. Former Browns linebacker and defensive captain Anthony Walker Jr. has agreed to a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Walker was one of the most beloved members of the Browns during his three years in Cleveland, but was unable to stay healthy. He missed 14 games in 2022 with a torn quad, plus six games last season due to a knee injury.
4:40 p.m. - Former Cleveland Browns defensive back and special teamer Mike Ford is heading to Houston. The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Ford will get a two-year deal worth $4.5 million.
1:30 p.m. - The Las Vegas Raiders won the bidding war for the top free agent defensive tackle on the market, former Miami Dolphin Christian Wilkins. The Browns have been linked to Wilkins for several days before the start of free agency.
Browns pending free agents
The following players who were under contract with the Browns in 2023 are set to hit the open market. Unless noted otherwise, all players are unrestricted free agents who are free to sign with new teams:
- DE Za'Darius Smith - RE-SIGNED with Browns per Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report). 2 years, $23.5 million.
- DT Shelby Harris - RE-SIGNED
- WR Jakeem Grant
- QB Joe Flacco - Signed 1-year deal with Indianapolis Colts, per Adam Schefter.
- LB Sione Takitaki - Signed with New England Patriots, per Tom Pelissero.
- WR Marquise Goodwin
- P Corey Bojorquez - RE-SIGNED
- CB Mike Ford Jr. - Signed 2-year deal with Houston Texans, per Ian Rapoport.
- RB Kareem Hunt
- S Rodney McLeod RE-SIGNED
- DT Maurice Hurst II - RE-SIGNED with Browns, per Adam Schefter. 1 year, $3.2 million.
- LB Anthony Walker Jr. - Signed 1-year deal with Miami Dolphins, per Adam Schefter.
- LB Matthew Adams
- LB Jordan Kunaszyk
- S Duron Harmon
- DT Jordan Elliott - Signed 2-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, per Ian Rapoport.
- LB Jacob Phillips
- T Geron Christian Sr.
- TE Harrison Bryant - Signed with Las Vegas Raiders, per Adam Schefter.
- G Michael Dunn - RE-SIGNED
- C/FB Nick Harris - Signed with Seattle Seahawks, per Tom Pelissero.
- WR James Proche II - RE-SIGNED
- QB P.J. Walker
- QB Jeff Driskel
- DE Sam Kamara (Exclusive rights free agent)
