The Cleveland Browns made a tough call trading away Myles Garrett this offseason, and man, did it leave their edge rusher room looking absolutely barren, even with Jared Verse in the mix. Now, with the 2026 season kicking off in less than two weeks, they’ve gone and signed free agent Sam Williams to a one-year deal, trying to patch up a desperate hole.
Cleveland’s Dire Edge Rusher Problem
Seriously, this edge rusher depth in Cleveland is a real problem. After that Garrett trade, and then the injury to Alex Wright, it just got worse. Add to that their inability to land Jadeveon Clowney or Za’Darius Smith, and you can see why they’re scrambling. Right now, it’s just Verse, Isaiah McGuire, and Derek Barnett holding down the fort. That’s it. It’s a huge gamble for a team needing to upgrade that position before the season even starts.
Sam Williams: A One-Year Bet
So, in comes Sam Williams, a former Cowboys second-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft. The guy is 27 years old, and he’s got 9.5 sacks over three NFL seasons. Not exactly eye-popping, but hey, he did only get one sack in 2025. The big thing is, that was a year after he missed all of 2024 due to a major injury. So, maybe, just maybe, another year removed from that injury, he could be primed for a bounce-back 2026 season. He wasn’t getting a real shot in Dallas, but in Cleveland? He could instantly be their second-best edge rusher behind Verse. It’s a calculated risk, a former second-rounder at what’s likely a cheap price, but it addresses a truly dire need.
This is a good addition to bolster that depth. With the season opener coming up fast, the Browns are banking on Williams to step up. Every team needs reliable pass rush, and after the Garrett trade, they’re hoping Williams can bring that missing piece. It’s all about what he does on the field now, starting in just under two weeks.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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