The Cleveland Browns enter offseason workouts with a plan for the starting offensive line in 2026. The initial expectation is for Spencer Fano to start at left tackle, Zion Johnson at left guard, Elgton Jenkins at center, Teven Jenkins at right guard, and Tytus Howard at right tackle. However, the Browns could shuffle the line if Parker Brailsford wins the center job, moving Elgton to left guard and Johnson to right guard.
Meanwhile, Dawand Jones and Austin Barber will compete for the swing tackle job, while Brailsford and Luke Wypler will vie for the backup center role. In addition, Kendrick Green, KT Leveson, and a former third-round pick will compete for the final O-line spot, if the team decides to keep ten on the 53-man roster.
A Cleveland Browns 2024 draft pick has had a rough start
Oct 19, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A general view of Cleveland Browns helmets before the game between the Browns and the Miami Dolphins at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A general view of Cleveland Browns helmets before the game between the Browns and the Miami Dolphins at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Zak Zinter has had a rough start to his NFL career and has not been the same player since breaking his tibia and fibula during Michigan’s regular-season finale against Ohio State in 2023. He served as the backup right guard as a rookie and allowed ten pressures, 6.7% pressure rate, and three sacks across 17 games, including three starts, and accounted for 233 snaps. Zinter followed that up with a tough 2025 campaign, spending much of his second season as a healthy scratch while being limited to five appearances and 45 snaps.
The Browns’ ex-3rd-round pick is in danger of losing a roster spot
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Cleveland Browns guard Zak Zinter (70) works against New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) during the second half of an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.
In an Athletic article, Zac Jackson identified multiple players who have been overlooked this offseason. He mentioned Zak Zinter, highlighting his rough start to his NFL career and how the team didn’t want to play him in the regular season-finale. Jackson also notes that Zinter’s future in Cleveland may be in doubt, especially after the additions of Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins this offseason. Even before their arrivals, he was limited to second-team reps at left guard in April.
“It’s fair to wonder where Hall and Zinter sit in the team’s future planning. Hall has shown up around the ball when healthy, but a late 2024 injury cost him a big chunk of last season.
“Last year’s Browns wouldn’t even start Zinter in the season finale, and he was playing second-team left guard in the Browns’ April voluntary minicamp after the team committed more than $50 million to guard Zion Johnson and center/guard Elgton Jenkins in March,” Jackson said.
“A healthy Hall isn’t a starter but can be in the plans, while it’s fair to wonder what Zinter’s future with Cleveland might be.”
What now?
The Browns will likely attempt to trade Zak Zinter rather than releasing him outright. If a team acquires the former third-round pick after mandatory minicamp, they would inherit a two-year, $2.835 million contract and would not be on the hook for the $55,000 workout bonus for 2026. Zinter is scheduled to earn a $1.26 million base salary in 2026 and a $1.522 million base salary and a $55,000 workout bonus in 2027, per Over The Cap.