TOM WITHERS
FILE Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in Pittsburgh. No longer part of Cleveland's future, Mayfield is not participating in the team's voluntary offseason program as the team tries to work out a trade. On Tuesday, coach Kevin Stefanski was reluctant to address the polarizing QB at all. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Browns GM said team was open with Mayfield about QB plans

By Tom Withers Apr. 22, 2022 04:55 PM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Browns general manager Andrew Berry understands Baker Mayfield's

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry speaks during a news conference where Deshaun Watson was introduced at the NFL football team's training facility, Friday, March 25, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Watson trade pushes Browns out of usual spotlight in draft

By Tom Withers Apr. 22, 2022 04:07 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Welcoming hosts a year ago, when they helped the sports world get

FILE - Cleveland Browns new quarterback Deshaun Watson enters a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Friday, March 25, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. Watson's first offseason program with the Cleveland Browns is the first chance for the controversial quarterback to meet new teammates. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Watson embraced by teammates in Browns' offseason program

By Tom Withers Apr. 20, 2022 06:10 PM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson made a strong impression on his new teammates long

FILE Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in Pittsburgh. No longer part of Cleveland's future, Mayfield is not participating in the team's voluntary offseason program as the team tries to work out a trade. On Tuesday, coach Kevin Stefanski was reluctant to address the polarizing QB at all. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Browns unwilling to make Mayfield's messy situation worse

By Tom Withers Apr. 20, 2022 01:31 PM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Already at odds with Baker Mayfield, the Cleveland Browns are

Cleveland Browns new quarterback Deshaun Watson holds his jersey during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Friday, March 25, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Deshaun Watson reports to Browns for first offseason program

By Tom Withers Apr. 19, 2022 10:56 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Deshaun Watson walked through snow on the way to his first day of

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