The Cleveland Browns will face some tough roster decisions in 2025. Every franchise must weigh salary cap constraints, roster depth, and player performance when making personnel changes. As such, Cleveland may find itself in a position where it has to part ways with a key veteran. One surprising name that could be on the chopping block? Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson.
Sure, he has been a dependable presence along the Browns’ defensive front. However, financial realities and evolving roster priorities may lead the team to move on from Tomlinson after just two seasons in Cleveland.
Cleveland’s 2024 season was a rollercoaster—one that, in hindsight, may have been avoidable. A year prior, the Browns had been one of the league’s biggest success stories. They rallied behind veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who improbably led them to the playoffs after being signed off the street in November. With Deshaun Watson sidelined due to a season-ending shoulder injury, Flacco’s steady presence helped Cleveland close out the regular season with a 4-1 finish. That was complemented by the NFL’s top-ranked defense spearheaded by Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. Though the Browns fell short against the Texans in the postseason, they entered 2024 with legitimate playoff aspirations.
Myles Garrett next to ‘shocked face’ emoji and Browns logo.
Unfortunately, the 2024 campaign went the complete opposite direction. Deshaun Watson’s return did not go as planned. He struggled with accuracy, missed open receivers, and looked unsettled in the pocket. In his seven starts, Cleveland failed to score more than 20 points in any game. Watson finished dead last in QBR (23.5), trailing even Titans rookie Will Levis (27.0). Unsurprisingly, the offense never found its rhythm.
Veteran guard Joel Bitonio noted the Cleveland offense’s identity crisis. The result was an inconsistent unit that failed to maximize its talent. Regardless of whether the Browns managed to return to the postseason or fell short, they entered the 2025 offseason with serious decisions to make regarding their roster and salary cap. This sets the stage for potential high-profile departures.
