Jedrick Wills, the former Cleveland Browns left tackle, is making moves to return to the NFL after sitting out last season with a knee injury. At just 26 years old, Wills has met with multiple teams, including the New England Patriots and Detroit Lions, signaling strong interest as he seeks to resume his professional career amid ongoing offensive line rebuilding around the league.
Critical Changes on the Browns’ Offensive Line
The Cleveland Browns face substantial challenges in reconstructing their offensive line this offseason following the departures of key free agents like Cam Robinson, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, and Jack Conklin. Though they recently acquired Tytus Howard from the Houston Texans to likely fill the right tackle spot, questions remain about the stability of the left tackle position.
Dawand Jones remains in contention for the left tackle role, but consecutive season-ending leg injuries have diminished his reliability. This uncertainty has only intensified given the team’s earlier commitment to Wills, who was expected to be a long-term cornerstone following the exit of a previous first-round pick.
Wills’ Rehabilitation and Renewed NFL Interest
Wills’ most recent season was lost to knee recovery, yet reports indicate he is ready to return to play. Insider Jordan Schultz has highlighted Wills’ visits with several NFL teams, describing a clear expectation that he will sign with a team in the coming season.
“Sources: Former #Browns OT Jedrick Wills, who sat out last season to fully recover from a knee injury, has been on a tour of visits with NFL teams — including the #Patriots and today with the #Lions. Visits are expected to continue into next week. A former top-10 pick, Wills — who is just 26 — fully expects to be with an NFL team this season,” Jordan Schultz, Insider
Wills’ last outings showed signs of him struggling through injury, but a full year off for recovery and his youth place him among the more obscure yet potentially impactful free agent options available.
Pursuit of a Franchise Left Tackle Amid Free Agency and Draft Prospects
Finding a reliable franchise left tackle in free agency is uncommon, particularly one as young as Wills. While his injury history may prevent a large, guaranteed contract, he remains an underappreciated candidate capable of significantly influencing an offense’s future.
Both the Patriots and Lions have shown interest in Wills, but it remains an open question whether the Browns will reconsider the player they initially viewed as a foundational piece. The Browns’ need for offensive line upgrades remains unresolved as they prepare for the draft, holding two first-round selections that could yield future anchors for this unit.
Outlook for Wills and Cleveland’s Offensive Line Strategy
As Cleveland approaches the 2026 NFL Draft, the offensive line rebuild continues to be a priority. The 2025 draft class was notable but did not include new linemen for the Browns, placing further emphasis on April’s selections or potential free agent moves like re-signing Wills. His successful return could alter the trajectory of offensive line construction both for him and his future team.
Sources: Former #Browns OT Jedrick Wills, who sat out last season to fully recover from a knee injury, has been on a tour of visits with NFL teams — including the #Patriots and today with the #Lions. Visits are expected to continue into next week.
A former top-10 pick, Wills —… pic.twitter.com/6vQiDaLXni
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 5, 2026
