Browns' highest-paid players in 2025 still headlined by Deshaun Watson
They then spent modestly in free agency, with their biggest addition being defensive tackle Maliek Collins. Their offseason was highlighted by the mega-deal of star pass rusher and 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who inked a contract netting him $40 million per year.
Their highest-paid player, however, is an obvious one as the Browns continue to work through the grimy details of the remainder of quarterback Deshaun Watson's contract. This leaves their books in a bit of a pickle. Who are they paying money to, and who are their highest-paid players?
Here are the Browns' highest-paid players entering the 2025 season:
Browns highest-paid players in 2025
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New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
Browns' Shedeur Sanders ‘keeping the focus where it needs to be' while awaiting an opportunity
On the practice field, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is doing more waiting than throwing — at least in competitive team-drill situations. It's been sort of the same on the periphery, too. When Sanders was escorted from the locker room to the team's training camp interview tent Friday morning, he chose to wait on linebacker Jerome Baker to finish his group interview rather than take to the empty podium opposite the veteran. Advertisement As arguably — but probably inarguably — the most popular fourth-string quarterback in early training camp history, Sanders seems comfortable with his new and at least semi-awkward place in Cleveland's remade and evolving quarterback situation. 'I had to wait until Jerome finished up back there,' Sanders told reporters. 'For sure, it's a respect thing. I know a lot of people want the content. I know I'm a producer, so I never want to make anybody feel any type of way about anything. So it was important that he gets everything he needs to say out, and everybody captures what he has. And now, I'm here.' In April, the Browns selected Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel late in the third round. That extended Sanders' surprisingly lengthy wait until Day 3 of the draft, when the Browns traded up 22 spots in the fifth round to select the former Colorado quarterback and add a fourth competitor to the league's least certain quarterback situation. Sometime in the next several weeks, there will, at the very least, be a temporary winner. The Browns have an extra first-round pick in next year's draft. And in what might be a transition year on several fronts, there are no guarantees with any of the four quarterbacks currently on the practice field. As was the case in the spring, Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are splitting most of the starter's reps. Gabriel is currently ahead of Sanders both when the Browns split into two fields to maximize reps and when the team is running through its early-practice drills. On each of the first two days, Sanders had to throw to an equipment manager during early drills because all of the team's available receivers had already taken their turns. Dating back to the spring, Sanders is the only one of the four who hasn't taken at least some reps with the team's No. 1 offense. He said he doesn't 'feel down or left out' about that because 'it's out of my control,' and he said that he's mostly focused on 'trying to maximize from a mental standpoint' as he waits his turn on the practice field and studies his craft in the meeting room. Advertisement Sanders got four plays Thursday to end the team's red zone 11-on-11 situation. An errant snap killed the first play, and an offside rusher blew up the second. The defense recorded a sack on the third, and another shaky snap preceded a handoff on the fourth. Life at the bottom of the depth chart can be anything but glamorous. 'I would say (I'm) just learning every day,' Sanders said. 'Of course, I'm learning different things. I know the opportunity will come, and whenever it comes, I want to be able to know the ins and outs and know the full everything. So I don't want to really make too many mistakes when it's my time.' Through two days of practice, all four Cleveland quarterbacks have taken nine reps in 7-on-7 settings. Sanders has taken 12 reps (seven called passes) in 11-on-11 settings, and three of those came in an opportunity period after the conclusion of full practice Thursday. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski wants to get the fullest and fairest evaluation of his quarterbacks, so he's been adding competitive periods to the practice schedule since the start of rookie minicamp in May. 'We're trying to maximize every minute we have with these young men and get them ready,' Stefanski said. 'I think Shedeur does a nice job of keeping the main thing the main thing. He's worked very hard in the building, in the meeting room, in the weight room. He's working hard and keeping his head down. 'Attention that comes with all this is great … but Shedeur does a great job of keeping the focus where it needs to be.' Now, the Browns are beginning the final phase of their quarterback competition while also preparing for the season ahead. Stefanski has scheduled joint practice sessions ahead of preseason games in Carolina and Philadelphia, and Friday marked the team's first camp practice open to fans. For the next four-plus weeks, every on-field part of the competition will be documented and, in some form, broadcast. Advertisement Sanders has long been comfortable with the spotlight. Since reporting to camp last week, though, he said he's been 'cut off from the world' with the exception of some phone calls with his former Colorado teammates. He's been busy with meetings, the playbook, film and trying to be as prepared as possible for his reps — whether they come one snap or four snaps at a time. 'When I get out there, I'm not thinking about (anything) external,' Sanders said. 'I'm thinking about more in the organization, thinking about getting the play calls, executing my job, doing what I've got to do.'
Fox Sports
2 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Jordan Hicks retires, leaving Browns with more concerns at linebacker
Associated Press BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Cleveland Browns situation at linebacker became a bigger concern on Friday after Jordan Hicks announced his retirement. Hicks missed the first two days of training camp with what the team called a personal matter. The 33-year-old Hicks posted his retirement announcement on Instagram after 10 years in the league. 'Football has given me more than I could have ever imagined. Purpose, discipline, brotherhood, and a platform to impact others. But most importantly it showed me who I am outside the game,' Hicks said in his post. 'I leave this chapter with deep gratitude for every lesson, challenge, and victory. I'm proud of what l accomplished on the field, but even more proud of the man I've become because of it.' Hicks played 12 games last season and was third on the team with 78 tackles. The Browns were already down one middle linebacker going into camp with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah out for the season with a neck injury. Hicks was a third-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015. He also played for Arizona and Minnesota before signing as an unrestricted free agent with Cleveland last year. 'I'm truly just happy for him, just to leave on your own terms, do it the way you want to do it. Just having a great career,' linebacker Jerome Baker said. Rookie Carson Schwesinger, the 33rd overall pick in April's draft, could move into Hick's starting spot. Nathaniel Watson was Hicks' backup at the end of last season. 'When you lose a player due to injury or retirement or whatever, there's opportunities that come up for younger players and in this day and age, young players play early at these positions," coach Kevin Stefanski said before the start of Friday's practice. "They may be counted on and that's why we're working so hard. That's why we're trying to be efficient with everything we do, maximize every rep and minute that we have with these young men to get them ready to play.' Devin Bush, one of the other starters at linebacker, could miss part of the season if he is suspended by the league for violations of the personal conduct policy. Bush was charged with simple assault and harassment after being arrested in May outside of Pittsburgh. ___ AP NFL: recommended Item 1 of 3
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Browns linebacker Jordan Hicks retires at 33 in offseason shocker
Cleveland Browns linebacker Jordan Hicks is calling it a career. The 33-year-old announced his retirement Friday in an Instagram post after he missed the first two days of training camp with what the team described as a personal matter. 'Football has given me more than I could have ever imagined,' Hicks wrote. 'Purpose, discipline, brotherhood, and a platform to impact others. But most importantly it showed me who I am outside the game. Advertisement 4 Jordan Hicks #58 of the Cleveland Browns looks on prior to Cleveland Browns OTA offseason workouts at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 4, 2025 in Berea, Ohio.'I leave this chapter with deep gratitude for every lesson, challenge, and victory. I'm proud of what I accomplished on the field, but even more proud of the man I've become because of it. 'To my teammates, coaches, fans, and most importantly my family.. thank you for your unwavering support throughout this journey. I'm looking forward to this next season of life and all that it brings. I walk away with peace knowing I gave football all I had, and that the best is yet to come.' Advertisement Hicks, who was at the Browns' OTA offseason workouts last month, was expected to play a crucial role in his second season with Cleveland. In 12 starts last season, Hicks had 78 tackles and two sacks. His wife, Ivana Hicks, praised him for his integrity and a decade of grit on the field. 4 Jordan Hicks and his wife Ivana Hicks with their kids, daughter, Taliya and two sons, Ayven and Lukah. Instagram/Ivana Hicks Advertisement 'TEN YEARS! 🏈 A decade of grit, passion, sacrifice, and relentless work-through victories and losses, injuries and comebacks, highs that felt like dreams and lows that tested everything,' Ivana wrote in a separate Instagram post Friday. 'Today, my heart is full as I stand beside you in this moment of retirement. You didn't just play the game, you lived it with integrity, humility, and unshakable character. The kind of teammate everyone kind of man I'm proud our children look up to. The kind of husband I thank God for every single day. 'I've watched you lead quietly, love fiercely, and stay grounded through it all. From locker rooms to stadium lights, your impact reaches far beyond the field-and I know this is only the beginning of your next chapter. 'I'm so proud to be your wife. So proud of the man, friend, and brother you've been to so many. And so proud of the legacy you've built. One that isn't just measured in stats, but in who you are. Here's to what's next, my love. You've already won the game that matters most.' Advertisement 4 Jordan Hicks and his son share a moment before his 11th NFL training camp in July 2025. Instagram/Ivana Hicks The couple has a daughter, Taliya, and two sons, Ayven and Lukah. Earlier this week, Ivana commemorated his 11th NFL training camp. 'Sent dada off to his 11th Training Camp 🏈 11 years of sacrifice, passion, and love for the game,' Ivana wrote on Instagram, where she included a video of him hugging daughter Taliya. 'We are so proud of you!! Counting down the days until we're together again—and cheering you on.' Another video showed Hicks consoling their crying son as the family sent him off to training camp. 'It never gets easier—especially as they get older!' Ivana wrote. 'Each year that goes by, it takes more sacrifice, from all of us, as we try to create a more 'normal' life for them. They move twice a year, have been to countless schools, make new friends, and embrace change so well. 4 Jordan Hicks #58 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill during Cleveland Browns mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025 in Berea, Ohio. Getty Images 'It's the only life they know. And sometimes, for that sense of normalcy, it's best we stay behind for a little while. They still don't, quite, get why dada has to leave but one day they will. Can't wait to be together again.' Advertisement After the news of Hicks' retirement, Ivana reposted the video of their son and wrote, 'Well, guys, this video and 3 days away from dada was short-lived. 10 years.' Hicks spent four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles after they selected him in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He also had stints with the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings. Hicks has a career total of 952 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 13 interceptions, six forced fumbles, and 11 fumble recoveries.
