Browns Free Agency Rumors: In ‘hot Pursuit,’ Have 2 Olinemen On Radar

For most Cleveland Browns fans, “football Christmas” is the NFL draft. That is not just because it has also been “the Browns Super Bowl” for years, but it is actually where talented players are found most often, and on cheap deals. NFL free agency is “football Christmas” for some, but it is more hype than actual substance.

The tampering period of NFL free agency kicks off at noon on Monday, with signings not official until the league year opens on Wednesday. Moves like Cleveland’s trade for OT Tytus Howard will also not become official until Wednesday.

Especially for teams with bad records, it is rare that free agency will change the course of the franchise. There are moves that can make sense, but teams are often paying “A” player money for “B” or “C” level options. Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum might be an exception. Linderbaum is hitting free agency due to interesting quirks in the way contracts work, according to Albert Breer:

All offensive linemen are grouped together in the formula that determines the numbers for the fifth-year option for former first-round picks, and for franchise and transition tags. That means guards and centers have their options and tags at tackle numbers, which is why the Ravens declined to pick up Linderbaum’s option and chose not to tag him.

According to Breer, Linderbaum’s agents are looking for around $25 million a year, a huge jump from the $18 million average Creed Humphrey received as the highest-paid center in 2024. Breer expects the Washington Commanders, Las Vegas Raiders, and Browns “to be in the bidding” for Linderbaum.

Along the lines of paying top dollar for mid-tier players, Breer also noted that Cleveland is “in hot pursuit” of OL Chris Paul, while also noting how concerning a big contract for Paul would be:

Paul became a full-time starter for the first time three weeks into his fourth pro season and is trending to one of those “He got what?!” sorts of deals.

In four seasons, Paul has played in just 34 games, starting 23, after being selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft. Breer noted that a variety of “good-not-great” players on the offensive line could be commanding between $16 and $18 million a year in free agency.

ESPN has Paul ranked as the 64th best free agent this year, while Pro Football Focus has him ranked much lower, 211, after grading him as the 69th out of 79th guards in 2025.

With a few hours to go until legal tampering opens (with many discussions and contracts agreed upon during illegal tampering at the NFL combine), Cleveland’s need on the offensive line could see them involved with a few names. Whether it is paying top dollar for Linderbaum or overpaying (based on past play) for Paul, the Browns are likely to come away with another new offensive lineman soon.

What do you think of these late rumors? Would you rather pay Linderbaum way over the top center price or overpay Paul for his resume, but much lower than Linderbaum’s asking price?

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