Cleveland Browns Linked to Major Wide Receiver Move
The Cleveland Browns urgently need to bolster their offense, with the quarterback position being the most glaring issue, but their wide receiver corps is also severely lacking.
Outside of Jerry Jeudy, the team’s depth at the position is nearly nonexistent, and even Jeudy has underperformed this season. The Browns’ decision to bypass drafting a wide receiver in April’s NFL Draft is proving costly.
While the team could address this weakness in the upcoming free agency period or next year’s draft, Matt Fontana of The BIG Play has suggested an immediate solution: signing Tyler Lockett.
Lockett was recently cut by the Tennessee Titans, and Fontana believes it’s worth giving the former Pro Bowler a chance. Lockett recorded 10 catches for 70 yards in seven games with the Titans this season, following a 10-year stint with the Seattle Seahawks.
He made the Pro Bowl while also earning a First-Team All-Pro selection during his rookie campaign in 2015 after catching 51 passes for 664 yards and six touchdowns while also scoring on both kick and punt returns, establishing himself as a versatile playmaker right off the bat.
From 2019 to 2022, Lockett delivered four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, peaking at 1,175 yards in 2021. However, his production dipped in his final two years with Seattle, with 894 and 600 yards, respectively, signaling a decline at age 33.
Despite this, Lockett boasts a career catch rate of 70 percent, showcasing his reliability. Frankly, he’d be an upgrade over most of Cleveland’s current wide receiver options, particularly with Cedric Tillman sidelined on injured reserve.
Jeudy tops the Browns’ receivers with 22 receptions for 257 yards, followed by undrafted rookie Isaiah Bond, who has 11 catches for 123 yards. Clearly, Cleveland needs another pass-catcher.
While Lockett may not be a flashy choice, his dependable hands and veteran savvy could provide a much-needed boost to the receiving room.
Raiders’ Maxx Crosby Sends 4-Word Response on Trade Saga
Las Vegas Raiders’ star defensive end Maxx Crosby found himself at the center of swirling trade rumors this week. What began as a simple social media rumor quickly turned into one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Raiders heading into their bye week.
It all started when longtime NFL insider Trey Wingo tweeted on X, “Breaking: according to sources the Dallas Cowboys have made inquiries with the Raiders about a potential trade for Maxx Crosby.”
The post immediately sent shockwaves. After all, Crosby is the face of the franchise.
As speculation began to spiral, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero provided some much-needed clarity just hours later, reporting, “The #Raiders met with star DE Maxx Crosby today to let him know they aren’t shopping him and won’t trade him, sources tell me and @SlaterNFL. While some other teams are interested, the Raiders aren’t interested in moving their best player, and Crosby wants to stay in Las Vegas.”
Maxx Crosby’s Response
Following the Raiders’ practice, reporters crowded around Crosby’s locker, eager for a comment. As Raiders’ columnist Paul Gutierrez described it, “With reporters flittering about his locker like so many rumors and reports, Maxx Crosby was not in the mood Wednesday afternoon.”
Crosby, who has long been the team’s leader, was noticeably brief.
“I plead the 5th,” he said, flashing what Gutierrez called “a sly smile crossing his face.” It was a perfectly vague yet calculated response.
Crosby, for his part, has continued to lead by example despite the distractions. Everyone knows just how much he loves being a Raider, and even having the thought of the team possibly trading him must have rattled Crosby’s heart.
A Symbol of the Raiders’ Identity
For the Raiders, keeping Crosby is about more than just retaining a star player; it’s about maintaining the heartbeat of their locker room. His passion, intensity, and relentless effort embody the culture the team has been desperately trying to build.
Even as trade rumors and growing pains persist, Crosby’s presence offers stability amid a cloud of uncertainty plaguing the Raiders.
Whether his “I plead the 5th” remark was a clever way to deflect questions or a quiet expression of frustration, it perfectly captured the mood around the team — tense, mysterious, and uncertain about what comes next.
Still, the message from both the front office and Crosby himself seems clear: he’s not going anywhere. The Raiders may have their struggles, but moving their franchise guy isn’t on the table.
