Browns NFL free agency: Our experts debate players who should be re-signed in 2026

The Cleveland Browns have lost 26 games in the last two seasons. With that much mediocrity, changes have to be made. It started with management firing head coach Kevin Stefanski. And then, after a head coach is let go, basically all of his assistant coaches are also released.

The new head coach has the ability to come in and keep any of the current coaches, but what is usually the norm is that the new guy will bring in coaches he has worked with in the past because he is familiar with their work ethic, and everybody agrees on the scheme and strategy. 

RELATED: BROWNS NEW DEFENSE LIKELY TO HAVE A BIG DIFFERENCE

As far as players go, each season, contracts expire. Cleveland GM Andrew Berry has the ability to re-sign athletes he wants to retain on the roster by offering contract extensions. This allows the player to remain with the Browns, and it stops his capability to enter the impending free agent market, which begins in early March each year.

This off-season, Cleveland has a lot of players that Browns fans wished Berry had inked to extensions, but for whatever reason, did not. The offensive line may become four or even five new guys. That’s like last year when the linebacker room was down to zero starters.

Quite an undertaking to replace an entire starting position group.

Berry can sign any player on the free agent list if he gets a signature before March 9. Then, those athletes become roster members once again and are able to compete for starting roles just like every other season.

Here at Dawgs by Nature, we wondered which free agents on the Browns’ list Berry should go ahead and reach out to keep their services for 2026. We wanted talented writers who knew what they were talking about and had good opinions. So, each writer has selected two names from the Cleveland free agent list and describes why that player should be retained going forward.

Let’s debate!    

The question: Which 2025 rostered players should the Browns re-sign before they enter the impending free agency period?

Noah Olson

At the Office Podcast

LINK: AT THE OFFICE – A CLEVELAND SPORTS SHOW

LB Devin Bush

The obvious answer that comes to mind when asked which free agents the Browns should re-sign is Devin Bush. Bush had a career year for the Orange and Brown, even receiving one first-place vote and three total points in All-Pro voting, and rightfully so. His three interceptions and 63 solo tackles during the 2025 season show exactly why he needs to return as the running mate to “NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year” Carson Schwesinger. That dynamic duo can continue to wreak havoc on opposing offenses, and regardless of the price tag, the Browns should pay it. Lock Devin Bush up long-term, before it’s too late.

P Corey Bojorquez

The second player I feel many overlook, largely due to his position, is punter Corey Bojorquez. Some say he had a down season in 2025, but that could be said for the entire special team unit, which was flat-out awful. Bojorquez still ranked 10th out of 32 qualifying punters in Pro Football Focus (PFF) grading for 2025. While the Browns’ special teams unit needs a complete overhaul, keeping Bojorquez, the most consistent player in that group over the last few years, makes sense. Browns fans know how difficult it is to find quality specialists. Letting a reliable one walk for nothing would be a mistake. Give Bojorquez at least a one-year deal.

Jacob Amstel

Browns Backers with a Twist

Cleveland, Ohio

LINK: BROWNS BACKERS WITH A TWIST

OG Teven Jenkins

While the Cleveland Browns lacked talent last season, there are still two players they should focus on re-signing. The Browns have to rebuild their entire offensive line. The Browns will not draft five offensive linemen, nor will they sign five offensive linemen in free agency. Teven Jenkins could be re-signed within the Browns’ budget. He played in all 17 games last season and plays guard, a position that does not require elite talent. Should the Browns re-sign Jenkins, it would relieve the need to over-draft or over-pay for a guard.

LB Devin Bush 

The defense would benefit by re-signing Devin Bush. He had a career year in Cleveland last season with 125 tackles. His position coach, Jason Tarver, was retained on the new defensive coordinator’s staff. Re-signing Bush would bring familiarity to the defensive unit that was one of the best last season. The Browns should also re-sign Bush to aid in rookie Carson Schwesinger’s development. 

Glenn Bam Caudill

Wayne County Browns Backers

Wooster, Ohio

DT Shelby Harris

The 34-year-old former seventh-round draft pick of the Oakland Raiders has completed 11 years in the NFL. In the last three years, Harris has made 25 starts in 48 games, appearing in all 17 games last year with five starts while proudly wearing the Browns uniform. NFL defensive linemen are not known for breaking up passes, but they get their hands up attempting to bat them down just the same.  Harris has 11 passes defended in his three years with the team, and four came last year. By comparison, defensive end Myles Garrett had three passes defended from a lot more snaps.

Harris only had one sack, so that isn’t his specialty. Performing a solid, dependable substitution role on the interior defensive line rotation is. Harris played 509 defensive snaps, 48% of the total defensive plays, in addition to 89 for special teams play while accumulating 32 combined tackles, which is fourth on the Browns in 2025. He also had 7 tackles for loss (4th on the team), and 5 QB hits (5th).  I feel like that’s great production for his limited number of snaps.

Harris signed a two-year, $9 million contract in 2024 with the Browns, which included 2026 and 2027 “voidable years” to spread out bonus money. I couldn’t find a salary projection for Harris in 2026, but his age may make him more salary-friendly than his last contract. I am hoping to see the Browns run back the defensive line rotation of Maliek Collins, Mason Graham, and Mike Hall, with a possible addition of another rookie to compete with Sam Kamara.

LB Devin Bush

The 27-year-old former 10th-overall draft pick in 2019 of the Pittsburgh Steelers from “That Team Up North” has played two years for the Browns. In 2025, he came alive with the addition of fellow linebacker Carson Schwesinger starting in all 17 games. His stats: 128 tackles (22nd leaguewide), 7 tackles for loss, 4 QB hits, 2 sacks, 8 pass defenses, and a team high 3 interceptions with 2 TDs.

The turnover value was something very rare for Browns defenders last season, as well as the number of games played. He was one of only four Cleveland defenders to play all 17 games this year, along with Ronnie Hickman, Myles Garrett, and Mason Graham. After the top production from players #49 and #30, the Browns LBs tossed up very low numbers, with the closest being Mohamoud Diabate playing in 16 games, starting six, and recording a modest 49 combined tackles.

I don’t think it’s fair to include JOK in the LB mix at the start of free agency and it looks like his NFL career may be over, so the team needs two quality starting LBs to go along side #4-9 (Schwesinger).  Should #4-9 go down, the Browns would really struggle on defense. Perhaps looking at an LB in the draft is a good idea, but signing a good veteran also seems valid, and perhaps doing both. Keeping Bush here, who had a great year for the team, is the way to go. 

Looking at a list of several LBs on the market, Spotrac estimates Bush to get a three-year, $26.7 million deal, placing him around the top 21 highest-paid linebackers, while PFF projects a $12 million Average Annual Value (AAV).  He could be considered one of the top free-agent linebackers on the market. Bush had several games with impact plays, including a Red Zone fumble recovery against the New England Patriots and a pick-six against two division rivals.

I feel like his familiarity, chemistry, production, and impact play make a good case for him to be re-signed.

Kenny “Mac” MacDonald

Ottawa Browns Backers

Ottawa, Ontario

LINK: OTTAWA BROWNS BACKERS

WR Malachi Corley

Every wrestling era has its rising star — the guy who doesn’t just perform, but electrifies the crowd. That’s Malachi Corley.  The ERFA that makes sense! He is the “YAC King” (yards after the catch) who brings the pain, Brother.

Corley isn’t just a receiver. He’s a weapon. He’s the kind of player who turns a five-yard pass into a 20-yard statement. He thrives in chaos. He breaks tackles. He imposes his will.

That’s not finesse. That’s violence with the football.

Corley embodies exactly what Monken wants in his receivers:

• Gets to the flats and gets a first down
• Separation of physicality and burst
• Relentless effort as a blocker
• Specialty moves the Trucker

But what separates Corley — what makes him Hulk Hogan stepping into the ring — is his mentality. He competes with attitude. He plays angrily. He finishes.

Monken’s offense in Baltimore thrived on receivers who could generate YAC and turn short throws into explosive plays. The Trucker will run opponents over. Corley brings that same energy — but with even more physicality.

He’s the YAC King. And in Monken’s offense, that crown matters.

He is beginning to pop momentum-shifting moments, and the ERFA tag makes cents (value contract). By the way, momentum wins the championship belts.

LG Joel Bitonio

This is the wily veteran who anchors the entire fight. Every great wrestling faction has its veteran leader — the one who’s seen it all, done it all, and still shows up ready for war.

That’s Joel Bitonio.

He isn’t flashy. He doesn’t chase headlines. But when the bell rings, he delivers. Year after year.

Snap after snap.

Bitonio represents everything Monken and Berry want in their offensive line:

• Mentally tough and assignment-correct
• Technically elite with flawless fundamentals
• Exceptional communicator and leader
• Relentlessly consistent
• Wrestling move “the pancake”

He doesn’t just play his position — he stabilizes the entire offensive line. When protection breaks down elsewhere, Bitonio holds the line. When young players need guidance, Bitonio sets the standard for the “NOO” (New O-Line Order). He can still make “the pancake” with Teller gone.

When the game is on the line, Bitonio executes.

That’s what championship players do. And that’s why losing him would create a void that can’t be easily replaced. Offensive lines aren’t built on talent alone. They’re built on trust, communication, and leadership. Bitonio is the foundation of all three.

He’s the veteran holding the New O-line Order together.

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Barry Shuck

DBN Staff Writer

S Ronnie Hickman

The defense can’t suffer just because DC Jim Schwartz is no longer in the building. Continuity must continue. Hickman works well with S Grant Delpit. He is a hitter, as evidenced by his 103 total tackles this past season, a career high. I don’t understand why Berry didn’t extend him. He was everywhere on run support and tight-end coverage. Two interceptions and only allowed one TD while he was in coverage. That’s remarkable. Plus, he played on 99% of all defensive snaps, so it’s not like he was a sub. Hickman also played on 145 special teams snaps, so he has usefulness beyond the standard defense.

He runs with elite acceleration and will stick. Hickman did have 12 missed tackles, but with the number of tackling opportunities comes a higher chance of misses. Reliable defender and durable. Hickman was only one of four defenders to play in all 17 games this past season. His departure would leave a huge hole in center field.  

CB M.J. Emerson

“The Tip of the Spear” room missed Emerson’s play this past season. It is probably one of the reasons that Berry traded away Greg Newsome because suddenly, the cornerback room was missing a key tackler. Emerson’s first one-and-a-half seasons were excellent. In his sophomore campaign, it was close to a Pro Bowl season. But he fell off the cliff in his third year. He worked very hard to get back in premium shape before he tore his Achilles in training camp, which was his contract year.

Apparently, Berry didn’t want to see if Emerson had his mojo back because he is now on the free agent list. Somebody is going to get a great player, and it should be the Browns. The two questions are: What if he rebounds and has a really great season and plays at a Pro Bowl level? And, what if he doesn’t? Schwartz required man coverage and a lot of one-hot, which played right into Emerson’s wheelhouse.

Denzel Ward is considered the premier boundary cornerback. Bringing in Tyson Campbell now places two really good outside corners on the field together. But Emerson played the outside as well, which would give the room three capable cornerbacks.

The answer would be to move Emerson to the slot, even though he is a big player. With Delpit in the box and Emerson’s size, the ability to stop the run just got bigger. Emerson could solve the specific matchup problems and allow him to take on the larger, faster receiving tight ends, which is the norm today. Emerson has the length, is physical, strong, and can run.

Plus, he instantly becomes a safety valve in case Ward or Campbell becomes injured. He has outside corner experience and could slide there on a moment’s notice. Sign him to a two-year deal to see if he returns with the same physicality he showed before his injury.   

Who do you think should get re-signed by the Browns before free agency starts next week?

Share your thoughts in the comment section below