Former Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr.
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Former Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr.
The Cleveland Browns have effectively closed the door on a reunion with cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. Emerson, who made 33 starts from 2022 to 2024, hit free agency after missing the entire 2025 season due to a left Achilles tear. Berry made clear the Browns’ affection for the 25-year-old hasn’t faded, but the math on Cleveland’s current roster doesn’t work in Emerson’s favor. “Love MJ,” Berry said. “Absolutely love MJ, both as a person and as a player. Selfishly would love to have him back. I think we’re also realistic that with MJ and the injury that he’s coming off of, to reach his personal goals, he’s also got to be in a position where he has maybe a strong opportunity to compete for a starting spot.” Berry acknowledged the roster reality — with Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell entrenched as starters — makes that unlikely. “That’s probably a little bit harder with how we’re configured with Denzel and Tyson,” Berry said. “But certainly if that changes … we’d love to have him back.”
Injury Came at Rough Time for Martin Emerson
The Browns have a pair of starting cornerbacks locked in under contract in Ward and Campbell, who was acquired in a trade for Greg Newsome II. That deal, combined with Emerson’s missed year, left the former third-round pick without a clear path back into the starting lineup. Emerson was originally selected by Cleveland in the third round in 2022. In his first three seasons, Emerson compiled 202 tackles, 34 passes defensed, four interceptions, one forced fumble and one sack. The Achilles injury came at the worst time for Emerson, who was on the verge of potentially cashing in with a new deal. It’s the key reason he remains unsigned this offseason. There could still potentially be a role for Emerson if he were willing to return as a slot corner, a position Cleveland struggled with in 2025. But with his starting aspirations and the Browns’ current depth, a reunion appears unlikely barring a change in Cleveland’s secondary.
Browns Defense Enters New Era Under Mike Rutenberg
The Emerson situation is one piece of a broader defensive reshaping in Cleveland this offseason. Jim Schwartz’s departure from Cleveland came after new head coach Todd Monken was hired over him for the top job. In his place, the Browns hired Mike Rutenberg. He spent last season as the Atlanta Falcons‘ defensive pass game coordinator. The scheme itself is expected to remain largely intact. Monken said he would not change a defensive system that has been among the NFL’s elite. Cleveland’s defense is led by Myles Garrett. The All-World pass-rusher is coming off his second Defensive Player of the Year award — this time unanimously — setting the NFL’s single-season sack record with 23. Cleveland has made only a handful of additions to the defensive roster in free agency so far, adding linebacker Quincy Williams on a two-year deal and defensive tackle Kalia Davis, who started 17 games last season with the 49ers. The Browns’ focus this offseason has been heavily weighted toward offensive renovation.