TOM WITHERS
FILE - Former Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson speaks during the first day of the House of Athlete Scouting Combine in Plantation, Fla., March 3, 2021. The Browns have spoken to an NFL investigator looking into claims by Jackson, who said the team intentionally lost games in 2016 and 2017. Jackson, now coaching at Grambling State, was fired by Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam eight games into the 2018 season with a 3-36-1 record. He has said the team paid him bonuses to lose and that he believes he was set up to fail. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Browns speak to NFL on 'tanking' claims made by former coach

By Tom Withers Apr. 18, 2022 08:42 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have spoken to an NFL investigator looking into

FILE - Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) stretches before an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward has agreed to a five-year, $100.5 million contract extension with the team, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Monday, April 18, 2022.(AP Photo/Corey Sipkin, File)
AP source: Browns, CB Ward agree on $100M contract extension

By Tom Withers Apr. 18, 2022 03:11 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Denzel Ward got locked down. Now there's a switch.

FILE - Cleveland Browns' Baker Mayfield warms up before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. Baker Mayfield feels the Cleveland Browns lied to him about their off-season plans, which resulted in them trading for Deshaun Watson. Speaking on a podcast, Mayfield, whose tumultuous four-year run as Cleveland's quarterback essentially ended when the team acquired Watson in a stunning deal last month with the Houston Texans, said the team was not up front with him.(AP Photo/Aaron Gash, File)
Mayfield: Browns 'disrespected,' deceived him about future

By Tom Withers Apr. 13, 2022 01:32 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Baker Mayfield feels the Cleveland Browns deceived him about their

FILE -Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. (33) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore. Safety Ronnie Harrison is coming back to the Cleveland Browns for at least another season, his agent Drew Rosenhaus said Friday, April 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Browns agree with QB Dobbs, S Harrison on 1-year contracts

By Tom Withers Apr. 08, 2022 08:24 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns added another quarterback as they try to figure out what

FILE -Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. (33) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore. Safety Ronnie Harrison is coming back to the Cleveland Browns for at least another season, his agent Drew Rosenhaus said Friday, April 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Browns re-signing safety Ronnie Harrison with 1-year deal

By Tom Withers Apr. 08, 2022 05:41 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Safety Ronnie Harrison is coming back to the Cleveland Browns for at

FILE - Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore. Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has returned from Africa following the tragic death of his older brother. Joshua Emmanuel Owusu-Koramoah, who played linebacker for William & Mary, was found dead inside a burned house in Hampton, Virginia, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Gail Burton, File)
Man charged in death of Browns LB Owusu-Koramoah's brother

By Tom Withers Apr. 07, 2022 01:22 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — A man was arrested and charged with murder Thursday night in the

FILE - Cleveland Browns kicker Chase McLaughlin (3) warms up before an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. The Browns aren't ready to kick Chase McLaughlin aside just yet. After choosing not to tender McLaughlin as a restricted free agent last month, Cleveland re-signed the kicker on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, and could have him back for a second season after an up-and-down first one. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko, File)
Browns re-sign K Chase McLaughlin, faltered at end of 2021

By Tom Withers Apr. 05, 2022 11:48 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns aren't ready to kick Chase McLaughlin aside

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry, left, new quarterback Deshaun Watson, center, and head coach Kevin Stefanski pose for a photo during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Friday, March 25, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Browns' QB Deshaun Watson: "I've never assaulted any woman"

By Tom Withers Mar. 25, 2022 02:26 PM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson sat stoically behind the microphone, and for nearly

FILE - Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson warms up before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Houston. Deshaun Watson stepped away from legal depositions and allegations of sexual misconduct on Thursday, March 24, 2022, to meet his new team. Watson arrived at Cleveland's headquarters in Berea, Ohio, the first step for him and a franchise investing in a player who has been accused by 22 women of sexual misconduct. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)
Watson visits Browns as 2nd grand jury declines to indict

By Tom Withers Mar. 24, 2022 01:54 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Deshaun Watson's first day with the Browns was anything but routine

FILE - Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson walks off the field before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Houston. Cleveland's blockbuster trade for the legally entangled quarterback became official Sunday, when the Browns finalized the complex deal and released statements from owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam explaining their decision to add him to their roster following the team's own extensive investigation. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)
Browns anxious to meet Watson following stunning trade

By Tom Withers Mar. 23, 2022 09:52 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Deshaun Watson hasn't met his new teammates, and once he arrives

FILE - Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield stands on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. With Deshaun Watson due to arrive any day to take over as Cleveland's franchise QB, Mayfield, who requested a trade last week after feeling betrayed by the Browns, is leaving. When and where he's going is still to be determined. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Sacked: Mayfield waits as Browns look to trade unwanted QB

By Tom Withers Mar. 23, 2022 12:11 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Baker Mayfield was once the No. 1 overall draft pick. He's not

FILE - Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) scrambles against the Cincinnati Bengals during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Houston. Cleveland's blockbuster trade for the legally entangled quarterback became official Sunday, when the Browns finalized the complex deal and released statements from owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam explaining their decision to add him to their roster following the team's own extensive investigation. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, FIle)
Trade for Watson ends up costing Browns a little more

By Tom Withers Mar. 22, 2022 12:13 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The price for Deshaun Watson went up for the Cleveland Browns in 24

Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) practices with the team during NFL football practice, Aug. 2, 2021, in Houston. Watson's complicated past didn't dissuade the Cleveland Browns from betting on the quarterback's future. He's on Cleveland's roster, and at this point that's the only certainty with the talented yet controversial QB. Watson's stunning trade to the Browns became official Sunday, March 20, 2022 capping a whirlwind few days during in which the three-time Pro Bowler — accused by 22 women of sexual harassment or assault — agreed to come to Cleveland after initially telling the team he wouldn't. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Deshaun Watson trade done, Browns defend decision to add QB

By Tom Withers Mar. 20, 2022 12:03 PM EDT
Deshaun Watson's complicated past didn't dissuade the Cleveland Browns from betting

FILE -Cleveland Browns quarterback Case Keenum throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Cleveland. While they wait to welcome Deshaun Watson, the Browns have traded backup quarterback Case Keenum to Buffalo and signed free agent QB Jacoby Brissett, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Saturday, March 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Nick Cammett, File)
AP source: Browns to trade Keenum, sign Brissett as backup

By Tom Withers Mar. 19, 2022 05:13 PM EDT
The Browns' quarterback carousel spun again Saturday. Twice. While

FILE - Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates a touchdown during the team's NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 20, 2020, in Indianapolis. Several teams are scrambling to find a quarterback. Some of those, including Carolina, New Orleans and Cleveland, have been in discussions with Watson, who sat out last season. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger, File)
Deshaun Watson changes mind, QB accepts trade to join Browns

By Tom Withers Mar. 18, 2022 04:08 PM EDT
Deshaun Watson changed his mind. The Browns have their franchise quarterback, one

FILE - Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield watches teammates warm up for an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 9, 2022, in Cleveland. Knowing he's probably done with the Browns, Mayfield posted a long note on social media, thanking Cleveland and its fans for embracing him and his wife, Emily.(AP Photo/David Richard, File)
AP source: Mayfield requests trade after Browns chase Watson

By Tom Withers Mar. 17, 2022 04:24 PM EDT
Baker Mayfield wants out of Cleveland immediately. The Browns aren't willing to let

FILE - Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper (81) tries to break a tackle by Detroit Lions safety Will Harris (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. Cleveland plans to release tight end Austin Hooper, said a person who spoke on condition of anonymity because teams can’t make free agency signings or other moves until the new NFL league year begins at 4 p.m.(AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Browns await QB Watson's decision, sign more free agents

By Tom Withers Mar. 16, 2022 12:28 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Deshaun Watson hasn't made up his mind, forcing the Browns to play a

FILE - Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter plays against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game Sept. 19, 2021, in Cleveland. Tretter has been re-elected for a second term as president of the NFL Players Association. The union announced Tretter's unanimous re-election on Friday, March 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
AP source: Browns make pitch to QB Watson, Mayfield reacts

By Tom Withers Mar. 15, 2022 10:57 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns made their sales pitch to Deshaun Watson, who

FILE - Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) jogs off the field after an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. The Cleveland Browns are releasing five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Jarvis Landry, who helped the team’s turnaround but is too expensive to keep, a person familiar with the move told the Associated Press. Landry will be let go Monday, March 14, 2022, as the NFL's free agency tampering period opens, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not yet announced the transaction. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin, File)
Browns release Jarvis Landry after 4 seasons, now free agent

By Tom Withers Mar. 14, 2022 01:05 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Jarvis Landry helped the Browns rebuild from the NFL's bottom floor.

FILE - Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, on Dec. 12, 2021, in Landover, Md. The Cleveland Browns have found their No. 1 wide receiver, agreeing to a deal with the Cowboys for Cooper, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press on Saturday, March 12, 2022. The Browns will send a fifth- and sixth-round draft pick in 2022 to Dallas for Cooper, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams can not complete the swap until the new league year begins next Wednesday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
AP source: Browns landing WR Cooper in trade with Cowboys

By Tom Withers Mar. 12, 2022 02:30 PM EST
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns weren't willing to wait for free agency or the NFL draft