John Johnson
Cleveland Browns linebacker Jacob Phillips celebrates sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Brandon Allen during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Nick Cammett)
Browns falter, fall way short of huge expectations, playoffs

By Tom Withers Jan. 10, 2022 05:54 PM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the first half an NFL football game, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Roethlisberger, Steelers top Browns to stay in playoff mix

By Will Graves Jan. 03, 2022 11:51 PM EST

FILE - Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt, center, walks off the field after an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. Hunt will likely miss Saturday's game against Las Vegas and could be out longer after injuring his ankle early in Cleveland's 24-22 win over Baltimore. (AP Photo/David Richard, file)
Browns RB Kareem Hunt won't make return against Steelers

Jan. 03, 2022 07:09 PM EST

Cleveland Browns' Baker Mayfield throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Steelers, Roethlisberger eyeing one last stand vs. Browns

By The Associated Press Dec. 30, 2021 02:19 PM EST

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski watches warmups before the team's NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Stefanski, Browns second-guessed, stung by close losses

By Tom Withers Dec. 27, 2021 04:46 PM EST

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, top, is sacked by Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, bottom, during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Browns have Mayfield, Garrett available for Packers game

Dec. 25, 2021 03:17 PM EST

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard (13) reaches but is unable to hold on to a pass attempt in the end zone in front of Baltimore Ravens defensive back Kevon Seymour in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Browns seek to boost playoff hopes while visiting Green Bay

By The Associated Press Dec. 23, 2021 02:02 PM EST

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku walks off the field after the Las Vegas Raiders defeated his team in an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Browns can't finish, brutal loss drops them outside playoffs

By Tom Withers Dec. 21, 2021 05:40 PM EST

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs for a first down as Las Vegas Raiders defensive back Keisean Nixon (22) reaches for him during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Browns can't overcome COVID, Raiders in heartbreaking loss

By Tom Withers Dec. 20, 2021 10:09 PM EST

Cleveland Browns quarterback Nick Mullens throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns 12/19/2021

Dec. 20, 2021 05:25 PM EST

This is a 2021 photo of Bill Lazor of the Chicago Bears NFL football team. This image reflects the Chicago Bears active roster as of Friday, April 16, 2021 when this image was taken. The Chicago Bears could be without all three of their coordinators, including Lazor, when they host the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, Dec. 20, 2021. (AP Photo)
AP Source: Several asymptomatic NFL players test positive

By Rob Maaddi Dec. 20, 2021 02:45 PM EST

FILE - Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield walks off the field after his team defeated the Baltimore Ravens in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. Mayfield and coach Kevin Stefanski tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, Dec. 15, and will likely miss Saturday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders as Cleveland deals with a widespread outbreak during its playoff pursuit. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Mayfield out, Browns down several starters for Raiders game

By Tom Withers Dec. 20, 2021 10:48 AM EST

FILE - Cleveland Browns quarterback Nick Mullens throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Oct. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. Mullens is slated to make his first start since last season for San Francisco. The Browns activated him from the practice squad Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, presumably to be their No. 2 behind Case Keenum before the latest wave of positive COVID-19 results. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
AP source: Browns QB Keenum, 4 more positive for COVID-19

By Tom Withers Dec. 16, 2021 05:43 PM EST

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski watches the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Browns' COVID cases grow, Mayfield, Stefanski test positive

By Tom Withers Dec. 15, 2021 09:45 AM EST

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield works out prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens 11/28/2021

Nov. 28, 2021 07:11 PM EST

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) hands off the ball to running back Nick Chubb (24) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Ravens, Browns meet for first time since wild December clash

By Noah Trister Nov. 26, 2021 12:40 PM EST

Cleveland Browns cornerback Troy Hill (23) is tended to by a medical trainer after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. Hill was released from a Boston-area hospital after being treated for a neck sprain in Sunday's 45-7 loss to the New England Patriots. A team spokesman said Hill is traveling back to Cleveland on Monday, Nov. 15 following the scary moment in the closing minutes of the blowout loss.(AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Browns' Mayfield slowed by knee bruise, QB's latest injury

By Tom Withers Nov. 15, 2021 01:23 PM EST

Cleveland Browns cornerback Troy Hill (23) is tended to by a medical trainer after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. Hill was released from a Boston-area hospital after being treated for a neck sprain in Sunday's 45-7 loss to the New England Patriots. A team spokesman said Hill is traveling back to Cleveland on Monday, Nov. 15 following the scary moment in the closing minutes of the blowout loss.(AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Browns' Hill released from Boston hospital with neck sprain

By Tom Withers Nov. 15, 2021 09:30 AM EST

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots 11/14/2021

Nov. 14, 2021 12:35 PM EST

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Cleveland. Beckham Jr. has been excused from practice for the second straight day as the Cleveland Browns figure out their next move with the polarizing wide receiver, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. agrees to deal with Rams

By Greg Beacham Nov. 11, 2021 04:31 PM EST