John Johnson
FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) greets Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield after an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz. Back-to-back Heisman Trophies at Oklahoma followed, then No. 1 overall draft picks and now NFL fame as starting quarterbacks, Murray and Mayfield are forever linked. On Sunday, their close friendship gets put on hold. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Cardinals' Murray, Browns' Mayfield renew friendly rivalry

By Tom Withers Oct. 14, 2021 06:39 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Malik McDowell (58) recovers a fumble on a kickoff return during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Herbert's 398 yards, Ekeler 3 TDs lead Chargers over Browns

By Joe Reedy Oct. 10, 2021 07:50 PM EDT

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Cleveland Browns at Los Angeles Chargers 10/10/2021

Oct. 10, 2021 04:19 PM EDT

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Herbert's Chargers host Mayfield's Browns in key AFC battle

By Joe Reedy Oct. 07, 2021 07:03 PM EDT

Arizona Cardinals tight end Maxx Williams is tackled by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones, top center, and safety Taylor Rapp, right, during the first half in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis )
Rams working to stem defensive regression from 2020 heights

By Greg Beacham Oct. 05, 2021 07:21 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Malik Jackson (97) celebrates after making a tackle during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Minneapolis. The Browns won 14-7. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Browns' defense dominating, surprising after sluggish start

By Tom Withers Oct. 04, 2021 03:34 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates with teammates after catching a 12-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings 10/3/2021

Oct. 03, 2021 01:25 PM EDT

Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, right, runs with the ball as Cleveland Browns linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (4) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Browns LB Walker on IR, LT Wills questionable for Texans

By Tom Withers Sep. 17, 2021 09:56 AM EDT

Cleveland Browns punter Jamie Gillan (7) runs with the ball after muffing a punt attempt during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Oh, snap: Browns punter Gillan 'devastated' by fumble in KC

By Tom Withers Sep. 16, 2021 05:02 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 17, 2021, file photo, Cleveland Browns defensive linemen Jadeveon Clowney, right, and Myles Garrett watch during NFL football practice in Berea, Ohio. he Browns will have at least seven new starters on defense — maybe more depending on the package they're in — when the season kicks off Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead. (AP Photo/David Dermer, File)
Browns' new-look defense faces tough first test with Chiefs

By Tom Withers Sep. 09, 2021 06:00 PM EDT

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Browns visit Chiefs to open new season in a playoff rematch

By Dave Skretta Sep. 09, 2021 02:18 PM EDT

New QBs Stafford, Dalton debut in Rams' opener with Bears

By The Associated Press Sep. 09, 2021 11:14 AM EDT
CHICAGO (8-8) at LOS ANGELES RAMS (11-7) Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EDT, NBC OPENING LINE: Rams by 7 1/2, according to FanDuel...

FILE - In this Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) hands off the ball during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Houston. (AP Photo/Justin Rex, File)
NFL 2021: AFC clearly the deeper, more powerful conference

By Barry Wilner Sep. 06, 2021 04:36 PM EDT

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws a pass during an NFL football training camp practice at the Paul Brown stadium practice facility in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. (Sam Greene/The Cincinnati Enquirer via AP)
Browns looking to finish long climb to top in AFC North

By Tom Withers Sep. 02, 2021 01:39 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski watches the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
After playoff run, talented Browns looking to do more in '21

By Tom Withers Sep. 01, 2021 07:46 PM EDT

In this image taken video, Los Angeles Rams running back Sony Michel speaks with reporters at the NFL football team's training complex in Thousand Oaks, Calif., Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021. Michel watched his first practice with his new team after the Rams acquired the former Super Bowl star from the New England Patriots earlier in the week. (AP Photo/Greg Beacham)
Stafford, McVay team up to bolster reputations with Rams

By Greg Beacham Sep. 01, 2021 05:57 PM EDT

Browns flip script, now among AFC's title contenders

By The Associated Press Sep. 01, 2021 03:11 PM EDT
CLEVELAND BROWNS (12-6) New faces: DE Jadeveon Clowney, LB Anthony Walker Jr., S John Johnson III, DE Takk McKinley, CB Troy Hill, DT Malik...

Stafford leads Rams into race for hometown Super Bowl berth

By The Associated Press Sep. 01, 2021 12:28 PM EDT
LOS ANGELES RAMS (11-7) New faces: QB Matthew Stafford, defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, WR DeSean Jackson, RB Sony Michel, WR Tutu...

Cleveland Browns running back Demetric Felton tries to catch a pass over his shoulder as strong safety John Johnson defends during an Orange and Brown NFL football practice in Cleveland, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021. (Joshua Gunter/The Plain Dealer via AP)
Talking back: Browns' Johnson leads with words, actions

By Tom Withers Aug. 25, 2021 04:47 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) talks with Jarvis Landry during an NFL football practice in Berea, Ohio, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Browns' McKinley back after absence for personal reasons

By Tom Withers Aug. 24, 2021 01:34 PM EDT