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Cleveland Browns Cut Popular Wide Receiver In Shocking Move

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Cleveland Browns coaches and players.
Cleveland Browns (Photo Via Imagn Images)

The Cleveland Browns will move on from wide receiver Cedric Tillman just days before the NFL’s roster cutdown deadline. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the move on Thursday.

“Browns are releasing veteran WR Cedric Tillman, per sources,” Schefter wrote. “Cleveland spent two early 2026 draft picks on wide receivers, and now Tillman is out.”

The Browns took Tillman in the third round of the 2023 draft out of Tennessee. Heading into training camp, he found himself fighting for a roster spot after Cleveland picked up two more wide receivers early in the 2026 draft.

Rookie Additions Changed Tillman’s Outlook

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman (Photo Via Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)

Tillman caught 21 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns last season. He entered the final year of his rookie contract with his place on the roster in doubt.

Cleveland spent its first-round pick on KC Concepcion, even though he had knee surgery just days before the draft, and then took Denzel Boston in the second round. Adding both rookies instantly turned up the competition in an already crowded receiver room

The Athletic’s Zac Jackson also viewed Tillman as a player on the wrong side of the roster bubble. Jackson noted, “Wide receiver Cedric Tillman seems to be on the wrong side of the roster bubble at this still-early stage, but he also was busy collecting targets and receptions earlier this week.”

Jackson also pointed out, “On Wednesday, Tillman was not practicing due to an undisclosed injury. If he doesn’t play Saturday, look for Gage Larvadain, Luke Floriea and Malachi Corley to all potentially move up a spot in the current wide receiver rotation.”

The Browns ultimately chose to cut Tillman rather than keep him through the final roster decisions. Cleveland may have explored a trade before making the move, though the information provided does not confirm that.

Concepcion’s strong camp also played a role in the changing receiver picture. Browns head coach Todd Monken praised the rookie and said Cleveland needs to find ways to get him the ball.

“Dude is explosive. He’s tough. He’s got great contact balance,” Monken said. “We’ve got to find a number of ways to get him the ball. He’s going to be a real weapon for us.”

Tillman’s exit opens up a spot for the Browns’ younger wideouts to step in. With that move made, Cleveland can now focus on locking down the rest of its roster before the regular.

Cleveland will open its season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13.

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