The NFL trade deadline has come and gone, and the Cleveland Browns made only one move: sending edge rusher Za’Darius Smith to the Detroit Lions.
While it was widely expected that Smith would be dealt, there were other Browns players—like David Njoku, Greg Newsome, Elijah Moore, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Shelby Harris—who could have been traded as well. Yet, Cleveland largely chose to hold steady, for reasons that aren’t entirely clear.
We don’t know the full details of trade discussions, and Browns general manager Andrew Berry was undoubtedly working the phones. But it’s hard to believe no teams were willing to offer something of value for any of these players. It feels like a missed opportunity.
At 2-7, the Browns are effectively out of playoff contention. It might be time to accept that a quasi-rebuild is necessary. Does Cleveland need to trade Myles Garrett? No. But moving players like Newsome, Moore, and Tomlinson seemed like logical steps.
Newsome had been mentioned in trade rumors earlier this offseason. Moore, heading for free agency, hasn’t really made a significant impact since arriving in 2023, and his relationship with the team has seemed strained at times. Tomlinson is a solid player, but his $13 million salaries in 2025 and 2026 make him a bit of a cap concern, especially considering he is a replaceable piece in the defense.
Given the team’s situation, the Browns could have moved some of these players for future assets. Instead, they opted to trade Smith and call it a day.
When Cleveland traded Amari Cooper last month, it seemed like a signal that an overhaul was coming. But, apparently, that wasn’t the case.
We’ll never know the exact reasons behind the Browns’ decisions at the deadline, but it’s tough to look at their actions and feel confident about the direction they’re heading. A fifth-round pick for Smith and a seventh-rounder? That’s the best they could do? It feels a bit underwhelming.
Maybe the Browns have a bigger plan in mind for the offseason, but it’s also possible they missed an opportunity to improve their future. Time will tell whether this was a wise move or a major mistake.
