Cleveland Browns news (5/4): The Browns hired who?

TL;DR

The Cleveland Browns have hired Trent Baalke as a front office consultant, continuing their trend of bringing in former GMs. This move follows the team's recent draft selections and ongoing roster changes.

Key points

Cleveland Browns hired Trent Baalke as a consultant
Baalke is a former general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Browns drafted tight end Joe Royer in the 2026 NFL Draft
Dawand Jones accepted a restructured deal for his contract
Andrew Berry is leading the team's rebuild efforts

Mentioned in this story

Cleveland BrownsJacksonville JaguarsAndrew BerryTrent Baalke

Joe RoyerDawand Jones

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JULY 27: Trent Baalke, general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks on during training camp on July 27, 2022 at Episcopal High School in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) | Getty Images A note from Jared as we start off the first weekday Dawg Chow of May with a celebration and some sadness at the same time. After almost nine years with the site (at least based on the records that I can find, which has EZweav’s first article posted on May 28, 2017, our friend has decided to hang up his proverbial keyboard. As all of you know, much better than I do, EZ is the Chow and the Chow is EZ. Like all of us, a diehard Cleveland Browns fan, he took on resurrecting the DBN community after a technology shift all but decimated the conversations here. A true labor of love, EZ showed leadership, passion, and dedication to the Chow and this community in a way that is truly unique. EZ also came to Chris and DBN’s rescue at a time that was sorely needed. As he said to Chris and me in an email this weekend, “Now, you have a fuller stable of staffers, so I will go ahead and turn it over to y’all.” In talking to him on the phone Sunday, the first time we communicated in that manner, I was blown away by his care for the community and his desire to always do the right thing, based on his values and beliefs. While we will all be sad to not open DBN every weekday morning to EZ’s Chow, Tom Moore, and I will do our best to represent him well. EZ may take a little break for now, but I look forward with hope to the first EZ-bomb (if you aren’t an NBA fan, a Woj-bomb was a huge news drop everyone looked forward to) of this next phase. For today, after reading through the Browns news of the day, I’d love to read some stories, some celebrations, and some thank yous to EZ down in the comment section.

Dawgs By Nature

Browns bring another failed GM as front office consultant, reportedly (Jared Mueller) – The Cleveland Browns continue their history of hiring failed GMs as consultants to GM Andrew Berry with the reported onboarding of Trent Baalke.
Former Browns TE David Njoku taking free agent visit with AFC competitor (Jared Mueller) – Former Cleveland Browns TE David Njoku is still on the NFL free agent market, with an AFC team, the Los Angeles Chargers.
Browns TE Joe Royer: Everything you need to know from childhood to NFL draft (Barry Shuck) – The Cleveland Browns selected tight end Joe Royer in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Cincinnati product profiles as a hard worker.

The Feed

Today, we bring you a Feed post from the big boss.

Cleveland Browns

Dawand Jones accepts restructured deal for final year of contract (Browns Zone) – Dawand Jones is expected to have a reduced role this season. He’ll have a salary to match.
5 things to know about TE Joe Royer, Browns No. 170 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft (clevelandbrowns.com) – The Browns fortified their tight end room with their selection of TE Joe Royer with the 170th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here are five things to know about the newest member of the tight end room.
What Andrew Berry Quietly Revealed About the Browns Rebuild During the Draft (SI) – The Cleveland Browns might be closer than you think. That’s what Browns general manager Andrew Berry quietly revealed during the 2026 NFL Draft.
Browns have major question on offense heading into 2026 NFL season (Browns Wire) – After an incredible offseason for the Cleveland Browns and general manager Andrew Berry, the struggling franchise managed to quickly revamp their entire offensive unit heading into the 2026 NFL season.

NFL

Uar Bernard welcomed to NFL — and to football — in Eagles’ first rookie practice (The Athletic) – Uar Bernard needed help with his helmet. It was one of the first drills in the first football practice of Bernard’s life, a baby step in a giant experiment.
Can QB Cade Klubnik live up to his 2025 hype with the Jets? (ESPN) – It was supposed to be the year of the quarterback, and the name atop some of the earliest 2026 mock drafts was Clemson’s Cade Klubnik.
Bills DB Damar Hamlin part of Guinness-record CPR training at NFL draft (NFL.com) – Unbelievable and uplifting as Damar Hamlin‘s tale has been, he’s added some statistical chronicle to it, as well. The Buffalo Bills safety who suffered a cardiac arrest on the field during a 2023 game is now officially a world record-holder.
NFL executives skeptical of Atlanta’s draft, offseason (The Falcoholic) – Atlanta’s approach is drawing a lot of nonplussed reactions in league circles, apparently.

Q&A

Who did the Cleveland Browns hire as a front office consultant?

The Cleveland Browns hired Trent Baalke as a front office consultant.

What is Trent Baalke's background in the NFL?

Trent Baalke is known for his previous role as the general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

What recent changes have occurred in the Cleveland Browns' roster?

The Browns have made several roster changes, including drafting tight end Joe Royer and restructuring Dawand Jones' contract.

How has Andrew Berry's leadership impacted the Browns' rebuild?

Andrew Berry's leadership has been pivotal in the Browns' rebuild, as he has made significant moves to revamp the team's offensive unit.

Cleveland Browns news (5/4): The Browns hired who?

TL;DR