After a competitive preseason, Cleveland opts for youth at quarterback and reinforces its running back depth.
In a move that underscores the unpredictable nature of NFL roster decisions, the Cleveland Browns released quarterback Tyler Huntley on Thursday, just days before their season opener. Huntley, who was signed as a free agent in March, had shown flashes of promise during preseason play but ultimately became the odd man out after rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson outperformed expectations.
Huntley, a former backup to Lamar Jackson in Baltimore, was brought in to provide depth to a position that plagued the Browns with injuries last season. The Browns were forced to start five different quarterbacks during a tumultuous 2023 campaign. However, after a strong preseason from Thompson-Robinson, who demonstrated poise and playmaking ability, Cleveland decided to move forward with the trio of Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, and the second-year signal-caller.
Huntley’s release coincided with the Browns re-signing veteran running back D’Onta Foreman, who had been cut earlier in the week as part of a procedural decision.The team is dealing with a depleted backfield as star running back Nick Chubb continues to recover from offseason knee surgeries. Foreman’s return is a strategic reinforcement, particularly with Chubb expected to miss at least the first four weeks of the season.
Foreman’s journey back to the Browns was not without its own drama. During the early days of training camp, he suffered a neck injury that required him to be airlifted to a hospital for precautionary evaluation. Despite missing a portion of camp, Foreman returned to play in the final two preseason games, scoring a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings.
With the regular season looming, Cleveland is banking on the combination of Watson’s veteran leadership and the youthful potential of Thompson-Robinson to navigate the grueling schedule ahead. Meanwhile, Foreman’s re-signing signals the Browns’ commitment to maintaining a strong ground game in Chubb’s absence.
As the Browns continue to tweak their roster, the release of Huntley highlights the tough decisions teams must make to strike the right balance between experience and future potential. Huntley, now a free agent, will likely draw interest from teams looking to bolster their quarterback depth, while Cleveland prepares for what they hope will be a more stable and successful 2024 season.
