The NFL's schedule can be a bit of a head-scratcher, especially when it comes to free agency. Officially, the frenzy kicked off on Wednesday afternoon, but if you were tuned in earlier, you'd know the action really started on Monday with the legal tampering period. This early window brought plenty of buzz, including some drama involving Maxx Crosby, even before deals could be finalized midweek.
The Cleveland Browns were quick to get in on the action, making it official on Tuesday that they re-signed offensive lineman Teven Jenkins. Teams have the green light to re-sign their own players anytime, and the Browns wasted no time locking Jenkins down.
With the league year now underway, the Browns have officially tendered safety Ronnie Hickman. While it's been reported that the tender is at the second-round level, the specifics remain unconfirmed. This move also means several players are now unrestricted free agents, as Cleveland opted not to tender them as restricted.
Among these free agents, Diabate stands out as a surprise. His contributions on special teams and in defensive rotations made him a valuable asset. Meanwhile, Whiteheart and Kamara had more limited roles during their tenure with the team.
A significant development is the status of offensive lineman Joel Bitonio, who also becomes an unrestricted free agent with his contract officially voided. The Browns have added two new interior linemen and retained Jenkins, signaling that Bitonio's chapter in Cleveland might be closing. Whether Bitonio decides to hang up his cleats or chase a Super Bowl ring elsewhere remains an open question.