Browns make important move with key defensive starter, and Cleveland is in a no lose situation with either way it could play out
The Browns plan on keeping a starting safety around in 2026 with this move.
Free agency doesn’t begin until Monday with the legal tampering period, but the Cleveland Browns have already been busy at work.
While the offensive line will be the biggest position group to address in free agency, the Browns must also make decisions on some of their own free agents if they haven’t already.
Cleveland just made a move to show they plan on keeping a starting defender around for 2026.
Brows place tender on S Ronnie Hickman, what it means
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Browns have placed a second-round restricted tender on FS Ronnie Hickman, who is a restricted free agent this offseason. The tender would pay Hickman $5.8 million for the 2026 season.
The Browns have the right to match any deal Hickman could receive in free agency and if they don’t, the signing team would owe the Browns a second-round pick. It would be a shock for a team to give up a second-round pick for Hickman, even if he is coming off a strong 2025 season.
Placing the tender on Hickman makes it one less hole the Browns would have to fill on their roster. Hickman stepped into a starting role last season taking over for Juan Thornhill who had manned the free safety position previously. Hickman made 103 tackles, two interceptions, and seven pass breakups in 17 games.
Hickman was an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State in 2023 after a strong career with the Buckeyes. Hickman started a combined nine of the 24 games he played in over his first two seasons.
Expect the 24-year-old safety to be in Cleveland for at least one more season before he’s an unrestricted free agent. The Browns appear to be returning their starting safety duo of Hickman and Grant Delpit.
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