“Love it when a good plan comes together.“ Whether the plan is good or not, Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry made it clear at the NFL combine that the team had a plan regarding the offensive line, referencing how the Chicago Bears remade theirs the previous offseason. Most believe the Browns not only needed to address their line, but the rebuild of the offense should start there.
Berry had made it clear that he planned a “heavy investment” in the offense in 2026 and, so far in NFL free agency and a trade,
has made good on that plan by:
- Trading and extending Tytus Howard
- Reportedly signing Zion Johnson
- Re-signing Teven Jenkins
The Jenkins return is official as the team announced the move Tuesday afternoon:
Jenkins joined Cleveland last offseason on a one-year deal before playing in all 17 games, including four starts, as he rotated with Wyatt Teller at the right guard position. The former second-round pick of the Chicago Bears was graded by Pro Football Focus as the 8th-best overall guard, sixth-best running blocking guard while playing 324 snaps in 2025.
The return of Jenkins, coupled with the signing of Johnson, all but confirms that long-time Browns guard Joel Bitonio will not return to Cleveland and will likely retire.
As of now, the Browns projected starting offensive looks significantly different than last year. Given that Berry noted that Dawand Jones has a role in 2026, he gets penciled in as the left tackle for now:
- LT Dawand Jones (or a 1st round pick in 2026)
- LG Zion Johnson
- C Luke Wypler
- RG Teven Jenkins
- RT Tytus Howard
Cleveland also has the following under contract for the offensive line:
- Zak Zinter
- Kendrick Green
- Jeremiah Byers
- Kingsley Eguakun
- KT Leveston
- Tye Phillips
- Jack Conley
Do you think Jenkins’ return seals Bitonio’s fate? What are your thoughts on the current projected starting OLine?
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