Browns Fantasy News

Browns release CB Jason McCourty

The Browns have released CB Jason McCourty—who was their best defensive back a season ago. The Browns are renovating their secondary following the addition of Damarious Randall, and McCourty will be 31 when the 2018 season starts. Still, this seems like a curious move for a team needing talented playmakers on both sides of the ball.

UPDATE: Rather than releasing McCourty, the Browns traded him to New England.

Browns OT Joe Thomas to retire

The Browns have been busy this offseason revamping their team, but will have to look forward to the 2018 season and beyond without the services of stalwart OT Joe Thomas, who announced his retirement today after 11 seasons.

Thomas had made 167 straight starts before a triceps injury sidelined him last season. It's sad to see him go as it appears the Browns are poised to win some games.

RB Carlos Hyde to sign with the Cleveland Browns

A day after losing Isaiah Crowell to the New York Jets, the Cleveland Browns are bringing in former 49er Carlos Hyde. According to Ian Rapoport, it's a three-year deal worth over $15 million.

Packers acquire QB DeShone Kizer

Per multiple reports, the Browns have traded quarterback DeShone Kizer to the Packers. He’s the compensation to Green Bay for the trade that will send cornerback Damarious Randall to Cleveland. It’s unknown whether any draft picks were involved in the deal.

Browns trade for WR Jarvis Landry, QB Tyrod Taylor

Two people familiar with the trade say the Cleveland Browns have agreed to acquire quarterback Tyrod Taylor from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a third-round draft pick.

The Browns were expected to target a quarterback in free agency but instead have landed the dynamic Taylor, who will likely take over as Cleveland starter. The Browns are still expected to take a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft.

Earlier, the Browns worked out a trade with Miami for three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Jarvis Landry. The Miami Dolphins have agreed to trade the Pro Bowl receiver to the Browns for two draft picks, a person familiar with the deal said Friday.

Browns hire Todd Haley as offensive coordinator

Former Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who didn't have his contract renewed by the Steelers last week, has been hired by the Browns as the first offensive coordinator under Hue Jackson, a league source told cleveland.com.

Haley, 50, is expected to call plays under Jackson because of his vast experience in that role. He'll also have an opportunity to coach a new rookie quarterback such as Sam Darnold or Josh Rosen, who are candidates for the Browns at No. 1 overall.

Packers hire Mike Pettine as defensive coordinator

Mike McCarthy’s search to fill his vacant defensive coordinator’s job ended suddenly after nine days when the Green Bay Packers coach chose former Cleveland Browns coach Mike Pettine to succeed Dom Capers.

Pettine, 51, was out of football in 2016 after compiling a 10-22 record in two seasons as coach of the Cleveland Browns and spent this past season as a defensive consultant with the Seattle Seahawks.

McCarthy had interest in Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, but it appears Fangio is going to stick with the Bears. He also asked for permission to speak with Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, but never got to interview him. Bradley agreed to return to the Chargers Tuesday night.

Along the way to his head-coaching job, Pettine was part of some of the NFL’s top defenses. From ’09-12, the Jets ranked 1st, 3rd, 5th and 8th in overall defense. Ryan received most of the credit for the Jets’ great defenses, but a Cleveland.com story said that Ryan turned over much of the responsibility of the defense to Pettine after the 2009 season.

In 2013, after Pettine went to Buffalo, the Bills ranked 10th in defense.

Browns to stick with Hue Jackson as head coach

Browns Jim Haslam reiterated Hue Jackson will be back in 2018.

Browns RB Matthew Dayes (knee, questionable) took limited practice reps again Friday and is questionable for Week 17.

Browns RB Isaiah Crowell (shoulder, ribs) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week. Crowell was removed from the injury report so he’ll play against the Steelers, who are resting their stars.

Browns WR Sammie Coates (shoulder) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week.

Steelers WR Antonio Brown (calf, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 17. JuJu Smith-Schuster and Martavis Bryant will pick up the slack against the Browns. Landry Jones will be under center, so this isn’t as great of a spot as it otherwise would be if Ben Roethlisberger were playing.

Browns RB Dan Vitale (groin, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 17.

Browns RB Duke Johnson (shoulder) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week.

Report: Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger and RB LeVeon Bell to sit Week 17

According to a tweet by Steelers beat writer Joe Rutter, both Bell and Roethlisberger will miss this week's game versus the Cleveland Browns, according to Steelers' OT Marcus Gilbert.