The Browns’ decision to move on from Cedric Tillman on Thursday morning wasn’t a shock, but it did say plenty about where this offense is headed.
Tillman had been hovering on the roster bubble for a while, and his health issues this summer only made the picture murkier. Cleveland waiving the 2023 third-round pick before its preseason finale against the New England Patriots also helps the club get closer to its goal of cutting down to an initial 53-man roster by Sunday.
The bigger message is what the move says about how Todd Monken and Andrew Berry are approaching the offense. Tillman had three seasons to make his case, and the numbers never really caught up to the opportunity. In that span, he finished with 71 catches for 833 yards and five touchdowns.
Cleveland’s actions have made the receiver picture clearer. The Browns used back-to-back picks at the top of the 2026 NFL Draft on KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, while Jerry Jeudy remains in place because of his contract. Isaiah Bond also showed promising flashes as a rookie, giving the team more reason to lean in that direction.
Tylan Wallace is another piece in the mix after signing in free agency. He has previous ties to Monken from their Baltimore Ravens days, and while his biggest job will come on special teams, he has flashed enough as a receiver during camp to stay in the conversation.
Quarterback play is still going to shape a lot of what happens next. Cleveland chose to start Deshaun Watson, though the source points out he’s expected to be on a short leash.
If Watson can’t get the young pass catchers involved, Monken could turn quickly to Shedeur Sanders. Developing Concepcion, Boston and Bond is going to matter, and it will matter fast.
The Browns’ passing game also runs through Harold Fannin Jr., who led the team in receiving yards last season and is set to keep a major role. Monken and new offensive coordinator Travis Switzer are also expected to lean on the ground game with Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, something they’ve spent plenty of time emphasizing in camp.
Tillman’s exit makes the direction even more obvious: the Browns want their snaps going to players with a clearer upside. That means more attention for Concepcion and Boston, with the organization hoping those touches eventually turn into touchdowns in the new enclosed stadium in Brook Park in 2029.
With the preseason finale against New England looming, the final receiver spot is still worth watching. Luke Floriea, the fan favorite from Mentor High School and Kent State University, has made a strong impression on the coaching staff, but he’ll have to hold off Malachi Corley for that last opening in Cleveland.
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Todd Monken has named Deshaun Watson the starter, with Shedeur Sanders backing him up, a setup that adds another layer to an already watched quarterback room. Even with the preseason winding down, the decision keeps the focus on how the Browns view the position and what the competition has meant inside the building as the regular season approaches. [Read more 🡒]