Tyreek Hill has become a prominent free-agent target after being released by the Miami Dolphins this week, but a Cleveland Browns legend has expressed caution about pursuing him. The veteran wide receiver, who boasts five first-team All-Pro honors and eight Pro Bowl appearances, remains an enticing option despite being 31 years old and recovering from a severe knee injury suffered last September, which included a dislocated knee and torn ACL. Hill’s availability raises questions about his readiness for the upcoming season.
While a player of Hill’s caliber could address the Browns’ ongoing issues with generating explosive plays on offense, former Browns receiver and return specialist Josh Cribbs urged the team to think carefully considering past experience with similar injuries. Cribbs highlighted Nick Chubb’s devastating 2023 injury, when Chubb tore both his ACL and MCL, leading to over a year away from the field and a noticeable decline upon return, as a cautionary example.
We have to be smart, he just had a Nick Chubb-type injury,
Cribbs said on The Top Dawgs Show.
Though some co-hosts argued the Browns might secure Hill at a discounted price, Cribbs remained skeptical about repeating past mistakes.
That’s what we’ve been doing a lot,
Cribbs added.
We did that with a few guys. It didn’t pan out too well.
Outlook for Jerry Jeudy and Receiving Corps in Cleveland
One receiver already brought in under the Browns’ strategy is Jerry Jeudy, who joined Cleveland ahead of the 2024 season via trade and was swiftly rewarded with a contract extension. Jeudy’s rookie year with the Browns was impressive, recording a career-best 90 receptions for 1,229 yards and four touchdowns. However, his performance slipped significantly in his sophomore season, finishing with only 50 catches for 602 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite the setback, the Browns anticipate Jeudy will remain a vital part of their offense moving forward. Alongside plans to expand their receiving options, Cleveland expects Jeudy to rebound as the team aims to stabilize key positions on offense.
Despite the rough year, Jeudy will be back with the Browns in 2026 with the expectation that he’ll rebound amid some quarterback stability. The Browns haven’t identified their starter for 2026 yet, but they’re confident they’ll be better at QB than in 2025, when third-round pick Dillon Gabriel went 1-5 and fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders went 3-4,
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com said.
Jeudy has two years left on his three-year extension worth $17.5 million a year, but the Browns have an out after 2026, given that the dead cap charge for 2027 would only be about $7.15 million. Of course, that will be a moot point if Jeudy has the comeback year the Browns are hoping for.
Quarterback Situation Remains a Priority for New Head Coach Todd Monken
The Cleveland Browns’ offense, which averaged a disappointing 262.1 yards and merely 16.4 points per game last season, places considerable pressure on newly hired head coach Todd Monken to find much-needed quarterback stability. Monken was appointed with the goal of elevating the team’s offensive performance to elite status.
There’s a reason why I was hired here,
Monken said.
Let’s not kid ourselves. I was hired to become elite on offense and that’s what we’re going to fight every day to be, and I’m fired up because I think we have a chance to really take off. I think the time is right now to take off and really build it the way you want, so you’re consistently competing for championships.
Cleveland’s quarterback competition is wide open, with Shedeur Sanders, who started the final seven games of last season, currently the favorite. Sanders posted a 3-4 record in those starts, throwing for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Additionally, veterans Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel remain under contract and are potential contenders for the role next year.
Impact of Injury Concerns on Browns’ Roster Decisions
The warning from Josh Cribbs carries significant weight due to Nick Chubb’s injury history in 2023, which has shown the tough road for players trying to fully recover from severe knee injuries. The Browns must weigh the benefits of signing Hill, whose talent could transform their offense, against the risk of investing in a player still rehabilitating from a major setback. Chubb’s absence and subsequent decline serve as a stark reminder of the physical toll such injuries exact and the uncertainties involved in a player’s return to pre-injury form.
Looking ahead, the Browns’ choices concerning their receiving corps and quarterback lineup will likely shape their competitiveness over the next few seasons. If figures like Jeudy can regain their form and a quarterback emerges to lead the offense with consistency, Cleveland could find new momentum. However, hesitation remains regarding risky acquisitions like Hill, especially in light of recent health setbacks of key players, which underscores the challenges the Browns face in balancing ambition with prudence.
"We have to be smart, he just had a Nick Chubb-type injury." #DawgPound@JoshCribbs16 does NOT want the Browns to bring in Tyreek Hill. 👀 pic.twitter.com/LyzJBWZIzT
— The Top Dawgs Show (@TopDawgShow) February 19, 2026
