New Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski is already poaching his former roster.
The Falcons are signing defensive end Cameron Thomas to a one-year deal worth $3.1 million, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Thomas spent last season in Cleveland under Stefanski and made enough of an impression as a rotational rusher to follow him south.
Thomas appeared in all 17 games for the Browns and finished with 28 total tackles, one tackle for loss and 2.5 sacks.
Thomas was originally drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of San Diego State. The Cardinals eventually traded him to the Chiefs, who later waived him before Cleveland claimed him off.
Cameron Thomas Had Big Mistake With Browns
Thomas might be remembered most for a costly mistake last season against the New York Jets. With 58 seconds, New York appeared ready to punt, which would have given the Browns one last chance at a late comeback.
Instead, Thomas jumped on the Jets’ hard count — a clear attempt to draw the defense offside with little intention of actually running a play. The penalty handed New York a first down, allowing the Jets to drain the remaining time with two kneel-downs. After the gaffe, Myles Garrett made a point to publicly support his teammate.
“It’s frustrating. There are plenty of frustrating things in a game, I just don’t want my guy Cam to lose confidence or feel like he lost the game for us. That’s not the case,” Garrett said. “There are so many plays in a game and you can’t let one hang on you and take away your confidence and who you are as a player. It was a learning moment for him and a chance to do better next time.”
Stefanski clearly didn’t hold the penalty against him. A one-year deal at $3.1 million is a reasonable bet on a 26-year-old with pass-rush upside who Stefanski watched up close while in Cleveland.
Browns Have Slow Start to Free Agency
The Browns have had a slow start to free agency. Cleveland’s one reported signing so far is offensive guard Zion Johnson, a three-year, $49.5 million deal to address a depleted offensive line. Johnson joins Tytus Howard as a new member of the Browns’ offensive line. Howard arrived earlier this month via trade from the Houston Texans.
It’s an offense-first offseason by design. First-year head coach Todd Monken has made clear that reshaping Cleveland’s offense — which ranked near the bottom of the NFL in recent seasons — is the top priority.
On defense, the Browns did absorb a loss. Linebacker Devin Bush is heading to the Chicago Bears after a career year in Cleveland, where he racked up 125 total tackles and two pick-six touchdowns in 2025. Bush was arguably Cleveland’s top pending free agent on that side of the ball, and his departure leaves a hole next to reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger.
The Browns still have significant needs at wide receiver and elsewhere on the offense. They hold the No. 6 and 24 picks in the first round and have 10 overall selections.
Stefanski Poaches Pass-Rusher From Browns in Free Agency