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Cedric Tillman is released as the Browns clear room for their newest investments originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman is set to be released as the team moves on from the receiver ahead of Sunday's cutdown day. It follows reports that he was battling for a roster spot entering training camp.
“Browns are releasing veteran WR Cedric Tillman, per sources,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter posted on X on Thursday, adding, “Cleveland spent two early 2026 draft picks on wide receivers, and now Tillman is out.”
Browns are releasing veteran WR Cedric Tillman, per sources. Cleveland spent two early 2026 draft picks on wide receivers, and now Tillman is out. pic.twitter.com/pIlCbiY26d
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 27, 2026 Browns’ Cedric Tillman faces release ahead of roster cutdowns
Tillman recorded 21 receptions for 270 yards and 2 touchdowns last season. Cleveland selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Tennessee, and he was entering the final year of his rookie deal.
The Browns drafted Texas A&M's KC Concepcion and Washington's Denzel Boston this offseason.
Boston is 6-foot-4, bringing a big body that the Browns hope will compete for snaps and eventually become a reliable red-zone target.
Tillman's release has come with plenty of commentary, including from The Athletic's Zac Jackson. Jackson spoke candidly about Tillman's roster bubble status, noting that Tillman “certainly is on the roster bubble” entering training camp.
MORE: Browns to release former third-round WR after just 833 yards in three years
Tillman is in the final year of his rookie contract, and undoubtedly in a prove-it situation if he lands elsewhere. He signed a four-year, $5.6 million rookie deal through 2026 that included a $1,080,336 signing bonus, hitting an escalator that will now pay him $3.6 million. Over the Cap reports that none of that $3.6 million is guaranteed.
That would appear to be at least somewhat of a slight to Tillman, who has played three seasons in the NFL, catching 71 passes for 833 yards and five total touchdowns. Meanwhile, Boston has already replaced Tillman as the Browns' starting X receiver.
For his part, Zac Jackson detailed the rookies' roles, noting that “Concepcion figures to be a full-time player immediately as Monken figures out how to best deploy him,” while the Browns want to get rookies Concepcion and Boston heavily involved in the offense alongside ascending second-year wideout Isaiah Bond.
Availability has been a consistent problem throughout Tillman's time in Cleveland, as he has not been playing lately due to an injury and has been inconsistent on the field when active.
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