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Cleveland Browns release dates for OTAs, mandatory minicamp

It could mark the first time quarterback Deshaun Watson takes the practice field with his new team.

BEREA, Ohio — *EDITOR'S NOTE: The above video is from a previous story.

With so much off-field news dominating the headlines, it can be easy to forget the Browns still have a football season to prepare for.

Later this month, however, that journey will officially begin.

The NFL on Friday released details on the offseason workout programs for all 32 teams. This, of course, includes the Browns, who plan to meet up at club headquarters in Berea.

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Cleveland's activities will get rolling on April 19, with two weeks of meetings and and conditioning followed by three weeks of on-field workouts and walk-throughs. Things will go up a notch on May 24, though, when voluntary OTAs get started.

Each team is allowed 10 OTA dates, with the Browns' scheduled for May 24-26, May 31-June 2, and June 6-9. During these meet-ups, players will conduct game-like drills in uniform for the first time, and while no live contact is permitted, they will go 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11.

During this time, rookie minicamps will also take place, but veterans won't technically be required to show up for OTAs. Of course, while no formal punishments can be imposed, it can still be a bad look of a player skips (see: Beckham Jr., Odell).

So how will this potential issue be rectified? Simple: With mandatory minicamp, which for the Browns is set for June 14-16. The tasks will be roughly the same as OTAs, but all members of the roster will be contractually obligated to show up.

This is obviously an important offseason for Cleveland, which is coming off a disappointing 8-9 campaign that has led to a retooling of the roster. To that end, OTAs could mark the first time new quarterback Deshaun Watson takes the field with his new teammates, although it remains to be seen if this could be affected by a potential NFL suspension due to sexual misconduct allegations from more than 20 different women.

The acquisition of Watson has divided the fanbase, and will almost lead to an unceremonious end of the Baker Mayfield area. But Mayfield still remains on the roster, and if he isn't traded or released by June 14, he and Watson will theoretically have to take the practice field together.

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