TOM WITHERS
This undated photo provided by the San Francisco 49ers shows Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Adofo-Mensah got a surprise when he was hired by the Browns. The team's new vice president received numerous congratulatory notes from strangers, proud black men like himself. He was hired in May 2020 as the new vice president of football operations for the Cleveland Browns after seven seasons with the 49ers. (San Francisco 49ers via AP)
Browns executive proud to be part of diverse front office

By Tom Withers Jun. 11, 2020 02:57 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The messages of congratulations came from complete strangers.

FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Browns NFL Football head coach Kevin Stefanski answers a question during a news conference at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. When Stefanksi was hired by the Browns in January, the first-time NFL coach knew he'd face major challenges while preparing for his first season. Stefanski never imagined doing it in the midst of a global pandemic and nationwide civic unrest. (AP Photo/Phil Long, File)
Coach Stefanski bonding Browns amid pandemic, social unrest

By Tom Withers Jun. 10, 2020 06:31 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — When Kevin Stefanski was hired by the Browns in January, the

FILE - In this Jan. 14, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Browns NFL Football head coach Kevin Stefanski answers a question during a news conference at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. As part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship, the Cleveland Browns have welcomed six young coaches, including two women and former NFL player Leonard Hankerson, to take part in the final three weeks of their offseason program. "The Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship is the type of program that can be very impactful to the coaching hiring process,” said Browns first-year coach Kevin Stefanski. (AP Photo/Phil Long, File)
Browns welcome 6 coaches as part of diversity program

By Tom Withers Jun. 09, 2020 03:57 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have welcomed six young coaches,

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) laughs during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz. Beckham, who skipped Cleveland's program last spring after being acquired from the Giants, has been a “model guy” during the team's virtual program. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
OBJ a "model guy" during Browns' virtual offseason program

By Tom Withers Jun. 03, 2020 05:20 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Odell Beckham Jr. practiced his own version of social

FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2016, file photo, then-Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson responds to a question during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. Former Colts general manager Ryan Grigson has been named a senior advisor for the Cleveland Browns, reuniting with vice president of football operations Andrew Berry, who has filled out his front office. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Ex-Colts GM Ryan Grigson joins Browns' staff as top adviser

By Tom Withers May. 29, 2020 11:41 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Former Colts general manager Ryan Grigson was hired Friday as

FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield reacts during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Cleveland. The Browns quarterback said being away from football has given him time to reflect on his career and made him more determined to rebound from a tough second season in the NFL. Mayfield spoke Wednesday, May 27, 2020, on a Zoom call for the first time since the end of last season. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Quieter Mayfield knows Year 3 vital for him after rough '19

By Tom Withers May. 27, 2020 05:33 PM EDT
Baker Mayfield went back to his roots during this strange offseason, a time he

In this Jan. 26, 2020 photo AFC wide receiver Jarvis Landry, of the Cleveland Browns, runs the ball up the field during the NFL Pro Bowl football game against the NFC in Orlando, Fla. The Browns wide receiver has made the most of being quarantined the past two months and said he's ahead of schedule as he recovers from off-season hip surgery. Landry, who has never missed a game in his NFL career, said on a Zoom call Wednesday, May 20, 2020 that his rehab has gone well and that he envisions being back in the field in August _ assuming players are allowed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Browns' Landry ahead of schedule in rehab from hip surgery

By Tom Withers May. 20, 2020 06:10 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Quarantine has allowed Browns Pro Bowl wide receiver Jarvis

FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cleveland. Tretter never expected his first days in office would include the sports world being shut down by a global pandemic. But Tretter said he’s committed to the health of players and focused on battling a “contact disease.” Tretter said the NFL has the luxury of time before the season starts to make sure every precaution is taken because “this virus isn’t going to kneel down to almighty football.” (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
NFLPA pres Tretter says "hurdles" remain before NFL's return

By Tom Withers May. 19, 2020 06:22 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Browns center JC Tretter is cautiously optimistic the NFL

FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry, center, poses for a photo with owners Jimmy Haslam, left, and Dee Haslam, right, after speaking during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility in Berea, Ohio. The Cleveland Browns have hired former 49ers executive Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as their new vice president of football operations under first-year general manager Andrew Berry. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)
Browns hire former 49ers exec Adofo-Mensah as assistant GM

By Tom Withers May. 15, 2020 11:38 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have hired former 49ers executive Kwesi

FILE - In this Dec. 23, 2018 file photo Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) and tight end David Njoku (85) celebrate after a touchdown reception by wide receiver Rashard Higgins (not pictured) in the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cleveland. Mayfield isn't waiting around for the NFL to re-open the Browns' facility. Cleveland's quarterback invited several teammates, including tight end David Njoku and wide receiver Rashard Higgins, to work out with him in Texas during the COVID-19 shutdown. Like the rest of the league, the Browns haven't been able to conduct organized offseason programs due to the virus outbreak. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Mayfield huddles Browns teammates in Texas for workouts

By Tom Withers May. 14, 2020 06:42 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Baker Mayfield isn't waiting around for the NFL to re-open

FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins gestures before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland. Higgins has agreed to a one-year contract to stay with the Cleveland Browns, a person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Browns re-sign WR Higgins after stunted 2019 season

By Tom Withers May. 08, 2020 12:40 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Rashard Higgins is back on Cleveland's roster. It remains to

FILE - In this Jan. 21, 2018, file photo, Stipe Miocic, right, lands a right hand against Francis Ngannou during a heavyweight championship mixed martial arts bout at UFC 220 in Boston. Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic welcomes the UFC's planned return. The fighter and firefighter does have some worries, though. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan, File)
UFC champ Miocic welcomes octagon's return, has concerns

By Tom Withers Apr. 30, 2020 04:59 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic welcomes UFC's plans to

FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins gestures before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland. Higgins has agreed to a one-year contract to stay with the Cleveland Browns, a person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
AP source: Browns, WR Higgins agree to 1-year contract

By Tom Withers Apr. 28, 2020 03:42 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Rashard Higgins is getting a chance to reconnect with Baker

In this still image from video provided by the NFL, D'Andre Swift, center, reacts as he's selected by the Detroit Lions during the second round of the NFL football draft, Friday, April 24, 2020. (NFL via AP)
NFL to hold 2021 draft in Cleveland from April 29-May 1

By Tom Withers Apr. 28, 2020 11:42 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — After a successful virtual, stay-at-home experience this year,

FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2019 file photo Myles Garrett leaves an office building in New York. The Cleveland Browns will exercise the fifth-year contract options on star defensive end Myles Garrett and tight end David Njoku, a person familiar with the decisions told the Associated Press on Monday, April 27, 2020. The decision on Garett was no surprise and will be official later in the day, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not publicly revealed its plans. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, file)
Browns exercise contract option on star DE Garrett, TE Njoku

By Tom Withers Apr. 27, 2020 12:57 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns didn't have a major decision to make on Myles

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo, LSU safety Grant Delpit, right, breaks up a pass intended for Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans. Delpit was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the NFL football draft Friday, April 24, 2020. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Safety pinned: Browns select LSU's Delpit in second round

By Tom Withers Apr. 24, 2020 09:35 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns added a national champion — and world-class trash

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Alabama offensive lineman Jedrick Wills Jr. (74) sets up to block against Auburn defensive lineman Big Kat Bryant (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Auburn, Ala. The Cleveland Browns selected Wills in the first round of th NFL draft Thursday, April 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Browns nab Bama's Wills with No. 10 pick to plug tackle hole

By Tom Withers Apr. 23, 2020 10:09 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Jedrick Wills protected Tua Tagovailo's blind side at Alabama.

FILE - In this Nov. 14, 1965, file photo, Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown (32) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Cleveland. Jim Brown. Period. Arguably the greatest player in NFL history was picked by the Browns with the No. 6 overall pick in 1957. Brown rushed for 12,312 yards in nine seasons, leading the league in eight seasons. The three-time MVP walked away from his career at its peak to pursue acting. (AP Photo/File)
From Jim Brown to Johnny Football, Browns hit draft extremes

By Tom Withers Apr. 21, 2020 02:03 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — BEST FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICK: RB Jim Brown. Period. Arguably

FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is shown before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, in Cleveland. Browns chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta dismissed a report the team is trying to trade star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., whose future _ whether in New York or Cleveland or anywhere _ always seems in question. DePodesta said on a conference call Thursday, April 16, 2020, from his home in California that the team is not working on a deal involving Beckham, who was injured during his first season with the Browns after arriving in a blockbuster trade last March. On Wednesday, a report said the Browns were in talks with the Minnesota Vikings about the 27-year-old Beckham. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Browns call latest rumors of trading OBJ "completely false"

By Tom Withers Apr. 16, 2020 04:22 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Browns chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta dismissed a

This photo provided by the Cleveland Browns shows the NFL football teams' new uniforms. With a salute to their storied past, the Browns unveiled new uniforms Wednesday, April 15, 2020, to replace old ones that had grown stale and become symbolic with losing. (Matt Starkey/Cleveland Browns via AP)
Retro look: Browns return to past, unveil classic uniforms

By Tom Withers Apr. 15, 2020 01:47 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns will look better next season. There's