Tony Grossi
Tony Grossi covers the Cleveland Browns and NFL for 850 ESPN Cleveland and TheLandOnDemand.com. A 40-year veteran covering professional football in Cleveland, Tony is one of 50 members on the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee. A graduate of Ohio University (BSJ, 1979), Grossi has accomplished much in his career, including covering more than 35 Super Bowls and NFL drafts, five NCAA basketball Final Fours, Major League Baseball All-Star Games and World Series, and the 1984 Summer Olympic Games.
The college coach of a Browns QB visited OTAs, and it wasn’t Deion Sanders
Dabo Swinney beat Coach Prime to the punch. One day after Browns head coach Todd Monken said he was looking forward to meeting with Deion Sanders, who wanted to share insight about his son, Shedeur, Deshaun Watson’s college coach showed up at the Browns’ last full OTA work day on Thursday. Coincidence … or not? …
Jared Verse was upset with trade from Rams, but is happy to be wanted by the Browns
On Monday, Jared Verse practiced with the Rams. On Tuesday, he boarded a plane for a cross-country flight to Cleveland. On Wednesday morning, he met his new coaches and teammates and then practiced with the Browns for the first time. So in the span of three days, the key component of the blockbuster Myles Garrett …
Browns’ trade of Myles Garrett delivers another mixed message about the organization’s overall plan
Browns GM Andrew Berry says he didn’t plan to trade Myles Garrett, and wasn’t shopping him, and Garrett didn’t repeat his request to be traded to a Super Bowl contender. So how did it come about that Berry did trade the two-time NFL defensive player-of-the-year, the longest-tenured member of the Browns, holder of the NFL …
Did the Browns receive more for Travis Hunter in trade than for Myles Garrett?
Takeaways from the blockbuster trade of Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams … 1. I’ve always maintained the Browns should have auctioned off Myles Garrett, a la what the Houston Texans did with Deshaun Watson in 2022, to get multiple teams involved and drive up the trade price. Alas, it appears the Rams were …
#HeyTony: Why does Myles Garrett trade talk persist?
Hey Tony: I’m perplexed by all this Myles Garrett trade talk by the fans and media. AB said he’s not going to be traded and I don’t think you trade a future HOF’er that’s performing at the highest level. What do you think? — Bobby, San Marcos, CA Hey Bobby: First of all, neither Andrew …
Could KC Concepcion be the Browns’ next (long-lost) great punt returner?
Leftover takeaways from Browns OTAs … You’d never know it lately, but the Browns have a storied history of great punt returners. Start in the 1950s and ‘60s with Hall of Famers Bobby Mitchell (three career return TDs) and Leroy Kelly (three TDs). The ‘70s belonged to Greg “Do It” Pruitt (11.8 career average). The …
Jerry Jeudy hoping his personal quarterback carousel is ending
In his six NFL seasons, Jerry Jeudy has played with 13 different starting quarterbacks. Every season – four in Denver and two in Cleveland — Jeudy has been introduced to at least one new starting quarterback. That may change this year. Jeudy has already played with Deshaun Watson in 2024 and Shedeur Sanders in 2025, …
Browns trending to be among NFL’s youngest rosters in 2026
One of the consistent themes in this Browns’ offseason has been GM Andrew Berry’s intent to make the roster younger. “That’s just what we’re projecting based on the amount of draft resources we have and then probably just anticipated activity and free agency – that combined with having a very young defense, we would anticipate …
#HeyTony: Do the Browns have a Myles Garrett trade in place after June 1?
Hey Tony: How likely do you think it is that the Browns already have a Myles Garrett trade set up and are simply waiting for June 1st for cap reasons, a la AJ Brown to the Patriots? — Kyle, Celina, OH Hey Kyle: Although I’m an advocate of auctioning Garrett to the highest bidder, I …
Deshaun Watson is emerging as the No. 1 storyline of the Browns’ season
It’s been 579 days since Deshaun Watson received a shotgun snap, dropped back two short steps and buckled to the ground without contact. Turning over on his knees, Watson pressed face-down on the ground with his hands wrapped on each side of his helmet, anguished by the numbing pain of a ruptured right Achilles tendon …
Deshaun Watson’s reps increasing at Browns OTAs
Although coach Todd Monken says “nothing’s really changed” in the quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, the numbers tell a different story. Watson is getting more practice reps than Sanders as the spring season proceeds. At least he did on Wednesday in the team’s second OTA practice, the first open to media. Now, …
Why a rookie center could be the key to the revamped Browns O-line
Takeaways from the start of Browns OTAs … I contend the key to the Browns’ revamped offensive line is the center. Which makes Parker Brailsford, the fifth-round pick from Alabama, a player of note as Todd Monken’s OTA practices begin blending veterans with rookies this week. The media get their first look at Monken’s full …
An FAQ on our ESPN Cleveland QB Tracker
We’re entering the homestretch of the Browns spring football season. Phase 3 of the offseason program kicks off Tuesday with the first of 10 OTA practices spread over the next three weeks. They are still considered voluntary for veteran players. Among the missing early on were Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, Grant Delpit and Jerry Jeudy. …
My comprehensive game-by-game analysis of the Browns’ 2026 schedule
On paper, the Browns have the easiest 2026 schedule based on records of their opponents in 2025. All of that flies out the window after coaching changes, free agency additions and the NFL draft. I believe a true strength-of-schedule is determined not by which teams the Browns play, but when they play them. With that …