Big NFL free agency news may have just opened the door for the Cleveland Browns to make a key trade for an offensive star
The door may be open for the Browns to acquire a needed offensive talent from within the AFC.
NFL free agency is off and running with the two-day negotiating period open before free agents can officially sign deals with new teams.
The Cleveland Browns are expected to be moderately busy in free agency with most of their work coming on the offensive side of the football.
It just so happens the biggest move of free agency so far may have just opened the door for the Browns to make a trade for a player who would be a strong fit.
The Browns should be on the phone with the Indianapolis Colts after the Alec Pierce deal
Wideout Alec Pierce is returning to Indianapolis on a mega deal that’ll pay him on average $29 million a year over four seasons. After locking themselves in with Pierce for the future, there is belief around the possibility of the Colts now trading WR Michael Pittman Jr.
Pittman would immediately be the Browns’ top wide receiver and a good fit on the outside. At 6-foot-4, Pittman would give Cleveland a player who hasn’t had fewer than 784 receiving yards (2025 season) since his rookie year when he posted 503 yards receiving.
There are a lot of questions with the Browns’ offense, who is going to be the quarterback, and what the offensive line is going to look like. An upgrade in pass catchers has to happen if Cleveland wants any passing success in 2025. TE Harold Fannin Jr. is the Browns’ top passing option as things currently stand.
Pittman went over 1,000 yards receiving in 2021 and 2023, and he’s still only 28 years old. Pittman would likely get a new deal from any team that trades for him, as he’s a free agent next offseason. Due to being an upcoming free agent, the price tag wouldn’t be all that much for Pittman.
Andrew Berry hasn’t been shy about making wideout trades as the general manager in Cleveland and there’s no reason to stop now. The Browns should be on the phone with the Colts as quickly as today to try to acquire a player who would be an immediate upgrade to anything Cleveland has to offer.
Update: The Colts have agreed to trade Pittman to the Pittsburgh Steelers, per multiple reports.
Cleveland Browns News
Browns Free Agency Tracker: Tracking every move connected to Cleveland during the 2026 NFL free agency period with things officially underway
A rundown of the moves the Cleveland Browns have made with NFL free agency here.
