Cleveland Browns were aggressively after a top free agent starter, but he’s set to sign with an AFC power

The Browns would have been better off as a team if they were able to land a top OL over the New England Patriots.

Brandon Little — Ohio State Buckeyes & Cleveland Browns News Writer
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Day 1 of NFL free agency took place on Monday and the Cleveland Browns came away with a pair of signings. 

The Browns brought in former Los Angeles Chargers G Zion Johnson, as well as former New York Jets LB Quincy Williams. 

There’s still work to be done and the Browns need to add more along the offensive line. It appears they tried to add another top guard on Monday, but lost out. 

Browns missed out on Alijah Vera-Tucker to the New England Patriots 

According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Browns were aggressively pursuing former New York Jets G/T Alijah Vera-Tucker before he inked a three-year, $42 million deal with the New England Patriots. The New York Giants were another name mentioned for Vera-Tucker. 

Vera-Tucker would have been a strong fit for the Browns with his first-round pedigree. Since being drafted in the first round out of USC in 2021, Vera-Tucker has looked the part when on the field, but that’s been for just 42 games over five seasons. After missing all of 2025, Vera-Tucker is fully healthy. 

With the Browns after another high-level guard in free agency, we may have our hint on whether or not LG Joel Bitonio is going to hang it up and retire. Bitonio is a free agent and the Browns would have him back, but it looks like he could be calling it a career after 12 seasons in Cleveland. 

Guards the Browns can still look to sign

There are several free agent guards still out there who would make sense for the Brown. Former Baltimore Ravens G Daniel Faalele may make the most sense as a player with whom head coach Todd Monken is familiar. Another name to watch is former Green Bay Packers G/C Elgton Jenkins and New Orleans Saints G Dillon Radunz. 

Expect the Browns to potentially make another signing or two today in the second wave of free agency. 

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