The Cleveland Browns are bringing back offensive lineman Teven Jenkins.
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The Cleveland Browns are bringing back offensive lineman Teven Jenkins.
The Cleveland Browns are rebuilding their offensive line, and they’re starting with what they already have.
Cleveland has re-signed guard Teven Jenkins in free agency, bringing back one of the few returning pieces on a unit that will look very different next season. The details of the contract were not immediatley available.
Jenkins originally signed with Cleveland in the 2025 offseason as an unrestricted free agent after four seasons with the Chicago Bears, who drafted him in the second round in 2021 the 39th overall pick. He appeared in all 17 games last season, earning four starts at right guard as the offensive line shuffled its lineup around injuries throughout the year.
Over 324 offensive snaps that included a mix of starting and fill-in opportunities, Jenkins didn’t commit a penalty and didn’t allow a sack, per Pro Football Focus.
Jenkins has some positional flexibility. Now entering his sixth NFL season, Jenkins has 62 career games and 42 starts to his name at left tackle, left guard and right guard.
Jenkins will look to earn an opportunity in a new offensive system under first-year head coach Todd Monken, offensive coordinator Travis Switzer and offensive line coach George Warhop.
Browns Rebuilding Nearly Entire Offensive Line
The Browns are starting nearly from scratch on the offensive line. Wyatt Teller is gone after saying his goodbyes to Browns fans this offseason. Jack Conklin, Cam Robinson and center Ethan Pocic — who is recovering from a torn Achilles — all hit free agency.
The biggest question mark is Joel Bitonio. The 12-year Browns veteran and seven-time Pro Bowl selection is weighing retirement. As of now, his future in Cleveland remains unsettled. If Bitonio walks away, the Browns would lose their most experienced and decorated lineman.
The Browns have also made some additions in recent days to bulk up their offensive line with some new key pieces. Cleveland signed former Los Angeles Chargers guard Zion Johnson to a three-year, $49.5 million deal on the first day of free agency.
Before free agency even opened, Cleveland made a significant move up front by trading a fifth-round pick to the Houston Texans for veteran offensive lineman Tytus Howard. He also received a three-year, $63 million extension as part of the deal. Howard started 93 games over seven seasons in Houston. The Browns are expected to play Howard at right tackle
Browns Also Make Key Addition on Defense
The Browns also did some work on the defensive side of the ball early in free agency. The team saw standout linebacker Devin Bush agree to a three-year, $30 million deal with the Chicago Bears, ending his two-year run in Cleveland, where he started every game in 2025.
While losing Bush hurts, Cleveland wasted little time finding a replacement. The Browns signed former New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams to a two-year deal worth up to $17 million.
The move reunites Williams with new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg, who coached him in New York and Jacksonville. Williams was an All-Pro in 2023 and finished last season with 83 tackles in 13 games. He previously had recorded 100-plus tackles in four straight seasons.