It was the Cleveland Browns theme of the early round of NFL free agency on Monday: Name a player on their wish list, and there was a strong chance he signed a contract. Only not in Cleveland. And it was just after noon when the Browns officially were KO’d in their chase for the biggest name free agent on their list of potential targets, Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum.
Though the Ravens were attempting to keep Linderbaum, the Browns had the capacity to make a good pitch. Much of the offensive staff with whom Linderbaum worked in Baltimore is now in place in Cleveland, including head coach Todd Monken (who was the offensive coordinator for the Ravens), new offensive coordinator Travis Switzer and offensive line coach George Warhop.
SI.com’s Albert Breer declared the Browns a “bidder” for Linderbaum, even as it was clear that he would become one of the highest paid centers in league history. Alas, in the end, it did not matter: Linderbaum has signed a new deal with the Raiders, a jaw-dropping contract worth $81 million over three years.
Browns Were Bidding on Tyler Linderbaum
Here’s how Breer had summed up the interest in Linderbaum coming from the Browns.
“My understanding is Linderbaum’s camp is shooting for $25 million per year, which would be a whopping 38% increase on the $18 million per year that the Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey got in 2024 to become the NFL’s highest-paid center,” he wrote.
“I’m not sure if Linderbaum will get there. However, I’d expect the Commanders, Raiders and Browns all to be in the bidding, and the tenor of it would affect a bunch of other teams, as well.”
Obviously, Linderbaum did get there, and then some. While it is a contract that the Raiders were willing to pay, it would have been nearly impossible for the Browns to match it–the team has too many other holes to fill, and not nearly enough cash on hand to give that kind of contract.
Browns Miss Out Repeatedly
Linderbaum was not the only top-tier player on whom the Browns missed on Monday, and it became quickly clear that when GM Andrew Berry said the team would be “targeted” with its free-agent dollars, he mostly meant that they would probably not be able to reel in any of the big names.
Quarterback Malik Willis had been tied to the Browns but wound up signing with the Dolphins. Wide receiver Mike Evans had been connected to the Browns, but he will land with the 49ers. Wan’Dale Robinson, a reasonable Browns target at wide receiver, wound up signing with the Titans.
There is still time and there are still players to be had. But the first wave of NFL free agents certainly did avoid coming to Cleveland.
GettyMike Evans #13 did not land with the Cleveland Browns in free agency.
If Not Tyler Linderbaum, Then … Luke Wypler?
But the Browns do have an offensive line that needs to be addressed, with Tytus Howard already on board via a trade with the Texans and with the team still awaiting a Joel Bitonio decision. It’s likely the Browns will use at least two relatively high draft picks on new linemen.
Center remains a concern, though. The Browns do need an upgrade there, but there has been talk recently that the team could move forward with Luke Wypler in that role, as he played the bulk of the final five games of the season as the center. Wypler did struggle, but improved as the season went on and showed himself to be a very solid pass-blocker by Week 18.
He was penalty-prone (six last season) but he did not allow a sack and allowed only three hurries in 271 snaps.
Browns Miss Out After ‘Bidding’ on Top Free-Agent Target