As minicamp wrapped and Cleveland‘s 90-man roster began to feel overcrowded, something had to give. The Browns had already cycled through multiple edge rushers in spring workouts, from 2022 third-rounder Alex Wright to newcomer Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. Behind the scenes, there was a growing push to clear the logjam and make room for younger legs—players who could take meaningful camp reps without contractual complications. Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone had also made it clear this offseason: the Browns want real competition at kicker, not just a placeholder behind Hopkins. And if they could find it in a younger, leg-strong option who’d already been in the building, even better. Perhaps this is what brought about changes at the front office.

After ending 2023 with 23 players on injured reserve and ranking near the bottom in snap continuity, Cleveland entered this offseason with a tighter filter. The front office pivoted from patchwork fixes to long-view depth. Instead of banking on injury-prone veterans, Stefanski and Berry zeroed in on younger, rotational pieces—especially at EDGE, where they haven’t had reliable help for Myles Garrett since Olivier Vernon left.

At the same time, the roster was bloated with mid-tier veterans who weren’t offering enough return. So, when the Browns made their first official roster move of the summer on June 26, it wasn’t just a housekeeping update.

The team announced the release of defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo and re-signed kicker Andre Szmyt, signaling a targeted shift. Okoronkwo, once a headline free-agent pickup came to Cleveland on a 3-year, $19 million deal, expected to form a dynamic edge duo with Myles Garrett, struggled to meet expectations. He notched just 7.5 sacks over 30 games, battled a pectoral injury in 2023, and had zero guaranteed money left in 2025—making him expendable.

With Ogbo owed zero guaranteed money in 2025, the decision was more about economics than emotion. Still, he left a note: “Love to the Land,” Ogbo posted on X, showing more closure than some of Cleveland’s previous breakups. But as one door closed, a kicker kicked his way back in.

Szmyt returns after a promising UFL stint with the St. Louis Battlehawks, where he went 14-of-15 on field goals and led the league in scoring among kickers. The 24-year-old is no stranger to Cleveland—he spent time on their practice squad in 2024 after going undrafted out of Syracuse. There, he won the Lou Groza Award as a freshman, finished with 85 career field goals, 199 PATs, and remains the school’s all-time leading scorer. He also brings kickoff strength, averaging 61.5 yards per boot in 2021. With Dustin Hopkins still rehabbing and roster spots tight, this signing looks like more than just camp depth—it’s a legitimate challenge from a leg the Browns already know can deliver.

Andre Szmyt, former Syracuse legend and Lou Groza Award winner, was brought back after a stint in the UFL with the St. Louis Battlehawks. He’s no stranger to the Browns, as he spent time on their practice squad in 2024. With Dustin Hopkins still around, this could be more than just a camp body signing. And Szmyt has a leg and a college resume that demands attention: 85 career field goals, 199 PATs, and Syracuse’s all-time scoring record. Oh, and don’t forget his kickoffs—he averaged 61.5 yards per kick in 2021.

And yet, even as Cleveland trims its roster and refocuses its margins, one position still looms above the rest: quarterback. The Browns’ depth chart remains crowded, the pressure unmistakable, and the timeline urgent. And this week, that picture finally started to take shape.

Kevin Stefanski settles the QB battle

For the first time all offseason, the fog around Cleveland’s quarterback plan appears to be lifting. SinceBaker Mayfield‘s departure, the Browns have tried everything from a $230 million gamble on Dehsaun Watson to a late-career resurgence from Joe Flacco, only to find themselves back in limbo each summer. Now, with camp on the horizon and no time left for wait-and-see experiments, Kevin Stefanski seems ready to hand the keys—at least for now.

WR Diontae Johnson just spilled the beans on the QB1 plan. Johnson casually mentioned on the Sports and Suits podcast that Kevin Stefanski is clear on who is going to be the starter. “I think they are going to roll with Kenny for right now.” Kenny Pickett, traded in from Philly and formerly the Steelers‘ supposed savior, now finds himself as Cleveland’s latest QB1 experiment. He’s young. He’s started games. And hey, he can spin it.

Let’s not forget: Johnson and Pickett had chemistry in Pittsburgh. Over two seasons, Johnson caught 137 passes for 1,599 yards with Pickett under center. So his endorsement isn’t coming from nowhere—it’s coming from experience. But Johnson was cautious enough not to miss out on Joe Flacco. “I think they are going to stick with him [Pickett] through the preseason. Then you know they can live with Joe and what he brings to the table.”

The wildcards? Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel—rookies with upside but currently living in the shadow of Cleveland’s veteran fallback plan. For now, Kevin Stefanski’s bet is clear: let Pickett prove himself while everyone else watches and waits. So, the Browns may not have solved the QB puzzle yet—but at least they’ve started clearing the board.