The Cleveland Browns are hoping to make upgrades to their roster this offseason while trying to bring back a few players as well. TE David Njoku got the franchise tag this week while the team also placed a tender on three players making the exclusive rights free agents.
DE Jadeveon Clowney is not the team’s biggest free agent with DB M.J. Stewart and DB Ronnie Harrison falling in behind him on defense. D’Ernest Johnson could be a restricted free agent if the team tenders him, if not he will be unrestricted.
Not all of those players are expected to be back and decisions related to WR Jarvis Landry, OL J.C. Tretter, QB Case Keenum and TE Austin Hooper could free up even more cap space.
One guy who will be back is running backs coach Stump Mitchell. Mitchell left the team in October due to multiple knee issues and procedures.
The former NFL running back returned to his role with the team in February and praised the work of Ryan Cordell and Callie Brownson in taking over for him:
“I thought (Cordell and Brownson) did a remarkable job with the guys,” Mitchell said. “One good thing about this organization is that we all think we’re pretty good from top to bottom, so when anyone ever steps in as a coach or as a player, we feel like we can get the job done.”
With Kevin Stefanski’s system and the Bill Callahan coached offensive line, Mitchell’s return completes the trinity of coaches that make the Browns rushing attack one of the best in the league.
