Cleveland Browns
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Browns linked to Kaden Elliss.
The Cleveland Browns could look to overhaul some of their roster this offseason.
Cleveland could look to add some more help on defense, as the Browns have a new defensive coordinator in Mike Rutenberg. With that, Cleveland could look to make some changes and bring in some players that Rutenberg is familiar with.
NFL insider Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that the team is showing interest in Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss as a potential replacement for Devin Bush.
“Linebacker Kaden Elliss has fans around the league among the previous staffs he has played for: San Francisco (defensive coordinator Raheem Morris) and Cleveland (defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg), among others, though Cleveland has interest in re-signing Devin Bush at linebacker,” Fowler wrote.
Elliss is a star linebacker who’s a tackling machine who would help bolster the Browns’ defense. He recorded 107 tackles last season, while his career-high is 151 tackles, which he accomplished in 2024.
Although the Browns hope to re-sign Bush, it’s clear that the team is focusing on adding some linebacker help this offseason.
Elliss is coming off a three-year, $21.5 million deal with the Falcons.
Analyst Details Surprising Scenario For Bush
The Browns are showing interest in bringing Bush back, but several teams will likely be interested in him.
However, NFL analyst Chris Simms thinks Bush’s contract demands could be an issue, and he ends up having to get a one-year deal.
“This to me sometimes is a scenario where the player thinks there’s going to be a market, maybe outprices himself, and he ends up signing a one-year deal,” Simms said. “Because he goes, ‘Wait, nobody wants to give me a three-year deal?’ Because everybody goes, ‘No, we’ve got to see another big year.’”
Bush has been an impact linebacker for the Browns. He recorded 125 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles last season, in his second year in Cleveland.
Cleveland gave Bush a one-year, $3.25 million contract extension last season, but he will be in line for a bigger payday. Spotrac projects Bush to sign a three-year, $26.7 million deal.
Browns DC Sends Clear Message to Defense
Cleveland saw Jim Schwartz resign as defensive coordinator after he didn’t land the head coaching job.
The team ended up hiring Rutenberg as their new defensive coordinator, and he said he wants the team to keep attacking downhill.
“Keep attacking, keep getting downhill,” Rutenberg said. “Keep attacking, keep getting downhill. Not only Myles, you’ve got great players across the front. Maliek (Collins), Alex (Wright), Isaiah (McGuire), Mason Graham.
“I could keep going across the front, and the backers behind them who were involved with Carson (Schwesinger) and obviously (Devin Bush) had a great year last year and (Mohamoud Diabate) had a great year and the safety’s behind them with Grant (Delpit) and Rocket (Ronnie Hickman), everybody’s involved, but it’s always going to go back to the front.”
Rutenberg said he likes the foundation of the Browns’ defense. Yet, the team still could make some additions to further bolster their defense and make the unit that much better.