Browns' Stunning Trade Deadline Plan Revealed: Major Moves on the Horizon?
The Cleveland Browns are off to a 2-6 start, but the team has a surprising trade deadline plan.
Cleveland has been linked to trading the likes of David Njoku, Jerome Ford, Denzel Ward, and even possibly Myles Garrett, although that seems unlikely.
Although the focus for the Browns was expected to be trading away assets, that is not the plan for general manager Andrew Berry. Instead, NFL insider Adam Schefter reveals the team plans to be buyers at the deadline and trade for young players.
“While Cleveland already has completed three trades in the past month — acquiring offensive tackle Cam Robinson, sending quarterback Joe Flacco to Cincinnati, and swapping cornerbacks with Jacksonville — most sources believe that the Browns will be buyers more than sellers before the deadline,” Schefter wrote.
“The Browns do not sound inclined to trade tight end David Njoku, but they have been calling around the league, still looking to add quality young players to their roster.”
Cleveland being a buyer would be a massive surprise, as the Browns are off to a slow start. If the team can add some young players to the roster, perhaps Berry will make a move.
But, regardless, it sounds like Njoku will remain on the Browns roster past the Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline.
Browns Wouldn’t Get Much for Njoku
Part of the reason why Cleveland is unlikely to move Njoku is due to the potential return.
Njoku has lost his starting role to Harold Fannin Jr., but the trade return likely wouldn’t be high. Browns NFL insider Zac Jackson revealed that Cleveland would only get a fifth or sixth-round pick for Njoku.
“It’s hard to imagine Njoku bringing back more than a fifth- or sixth-rounder, though any potential deal might follow the model of last year’s Smith trade and the early October Browns-Bengals Joe Flacco deal in which the teams swapped draft picks on each side,” Jackson wrote. “On Monday, the Browns claimed tight end Brenden Bates off waivers and signed tight end Caden Prieskorn to the practice squad.
“Those moves don’t necessarily mean the Browns are preparing for a post-Njoku existence, but they do raise an eyebrow. In an Njoku trade, the acquiring team would only take on the prorated amount of his $1.26 million base salary for 2025. Njoku, 29, is eligible for free agency after the season but is due to count about $24 million on next year’s salary cap from the Browns using an up-front cash payment to stretch out his deal in 2023.”
So, due to the lack of return, perhaps that is why the Browns will be buyers ahead of the deadline.
Kevin Stefanski Explains How Offense Can Get Better
The Browns’ offense has struggled, as rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel hasn’t been effective in his starts.
During the bye week, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski explained how the offense can be better going forward.
“To have success as an offense, you have to be efficient in what you’re doing, and you have to be explosive in what you’re doing. And in order to do that, we have to put guys in certain spots, put them in whatever position it may be at – wide receiver, tight end, running back, if you will, and find ways to maximize their skill set,” Stefanski said.
“So, when you’re not having the success that we need to be having and we’re working towards, obviously we’re not doing enough. You’re constantly looking at different players, different ways that routes that they can run, run concepts that they can run. So, you have to continue to search for those things so that you can be efficient and then ultimately explosive.”
The Browns will go on the road to play the New York Jets in Week 10.
Jalen Hurts Rescues Teammate: Personally Escorts Shedeur Sanders Back to the Locker Room
Shedeur Sanders impressed in his preseason debut, recording 138 yards and two touchdowns on 14-of-23 pass completion to lead the Cleveland Browns to victory over the Carolina Panthers. Unfortunately, amid their preparation for their next preseason game, Sanders suffered an untimely injury.
On Wednesday, Sanders sustained an oblique injury during the Browns' joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is now considered day-to-day, although he is reportedly unlikely to practice Thursday and to play against Philly on Saturday.
Amid Sanders' injury, however, one moment that stood out from the incident was how Eagles QB Jalen Hurts stepped up to support his fellow signal-caller.
In a video that has since gone viral, Hurts can be seen giving Sanders a ride after the rookie QB suffered the injury.
Jalen Hurts gave Shedeur a ride after Sanders injured his oblique during practice 🤝💯
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 13, 2025
Hurts looking after Shedeur ❤️
(via @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/aigXz1ssNE
"Goated QB," a commenter wrote. Another one said, "What a guy."
"That’s a real one," a fan added.
A supporter remarked, "Good to see."
"Class act from Hurts. Shows the team culture they're building in Philly beyond just competition," a social media user stated.
A sixth follower shared, "Hurts giving rookie a lift."
For what it's worth, Hurts also talked to Sanders after the game and shared with reporters the "intimate" conversation they had.
"He came to me and just wanted to talk," Hurts revealed. "Just giving my perspective on what I see, and how I’ve gone about things, and ultimately it takes a great deal of patience and hard work and a sense of resilience — you know, you’ve got to want it. So, I’m supporting him from where I am and wishing him nothing but the best with his opportunities."
