Cleveland Browns rookie TE Joe Royer has gone viral for all the wrong reasons. The fifth-round pick is facing backlash after reports and social media posts revealed news about his dating life.Apparently, Royer is allegedly dating Josh Stepp’s daughter. Stepp is Royer’s former tight end coach at the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Joe Royer’s Viral Dating Rumors Got Fans Talking
Cleveland Browns, Joe Royer, NFL
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cincinnati tight end Joe Royer (TE22) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
NFL fans are roasting Browns rookie TE Joe Royer over allegedly dating an 18-year-old, Rilee Stepp. She also happens to be the daughter of his former position coach.
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Browns 24 year old TE Joe Royer has gone viral for dating a 18 year old girl who just graduated high school.
This is his position coaches daughter so it’s likely that he knew her before she was 18.
😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/DXu6uuqNd8
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 1, 2026
One fan said, “Bro Red Shirted Her.”
Another wrote, “Trending: two adults dating **below** Complete speculation with the intent to slander”
One X user tweeted, “The family is ok with it, so how is that any of our business?”
“I don’t know why I keep seeing this. Who cares. There are real groomers out there. This is stupid,” tweeted one
One more fan said, “This dude was a college senior, dating a high schooler. Yikes.”
“That age spread has been around for centuries,” commented another.
Royer, a tight end from Cincinnati, Ohio, began his college career at Ohio State before transferring. After redshirting as a freshman in 2020, he had limited opportunities with the Buckeyes. At Bearcats in 2024, he excelled in setting a program record for tight end receptions with 50 catches for 521 yards and 3 touchdowns, earning First-team All-Big 12 honors.
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