Brenden Bates: Everything you need to know

Bates signed his exclusive-rights free-agent tender with Cleveland on Monday. Bates began last season with Houston before the Browns signed him off waivers in late October. The tight end out of Kentucky played in six contests with Cleveland, catching two of three targets for 25 yards. Bates should compete for a depth role next season, but while long-time starter David Njoku was released in March, Harold Fannin (groin) has a strong grip on the Browns' primary tight-end duties.

The Browns placed an exclusive rights free-agent tender on Bates on Wednesday. Bates appeared in nine regular-season games with the Texans and Browns last season, logging four catches for 48 yards on five targets. He'll compete for a job at tight end this offseason.

Bates caught four of five targets for 48 yards over a combined nine regular-season games for Houston and Cleveland in 2025. Bates spent the first half of the season with the Texans before latching on with the Browns for the second half. While Cleveland often targeted its tight ends, most of those went to Harold Fannin (groin) and David Njoku (knee). Bates will become an exclusive rights free agent and can be brought back for one year at the league minimum.