HEADLINES

Pharaoh Brown

Dolphins To Sign TE Pharaoh Brown

March 14th, 2025 at 8:04pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Dolphins are signing veteran tight end Pharaoh Brown, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

The seven-year veteran will add some depth to a thin tight end room behind 2024 breakout Jonnu Smith. The Dolphins moved on from Durham Smythe last month, leaving Julian Hill as the only other tight end on the roster with any NFL experience.

After playing for five different teams in his career, Brown will bring plenty of experience to Miami. He has appeared in 87 games with 54 starts, though he has primarily served as a blocker with a career average of 8.6 receiving yards per game.

Brown began his career as an undrafted free agent out of Oregon and signed with the Raiders after the 2017 draft. He didn’t make the 53-man roster, but still appeared in two games as a rookie. He didn’t play at all in 2018, partially due to a shoulder injury, then carved out a rotational role as a blocker in 2019 with the Browns.

Brown then joined the Texans in 2020 and started 21 games over the next two years. He was then released three games into the 2022 seasons and returned to Cleveland for the rest of the year.

The 30-year-old signed with the Patriots in 2023, where he caught 13 of 15 targets for a career-high 208 receiving yards and his first touchdown since 2020. He also carved out a role on special teams, which helped him earn a one-year, $3.2MM contract with the Seahawks in 2024. Brown picked up a similar role as a blocking tight end and special teams contributor in Seattle, something he will likely continue in Miami.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/12/24

March 12th, 2024 at 9:31pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Patriots Place T Riley Reiff On IR

September 4th, 2023 at 5:26pm CST by Sam Robinson

Riley Reiff made it through last season unscathed, but the veteran tackle will spend time on IR for the second time in three years. The Patriots shifted Reiff to IR on Monday and promoted tight end Pharaoh Brown from the practice squad.

The 12th-year blocker suffered a right leg injury in the Pats’ preseason finale. Although Reiff’s timetable is not known, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes the issue is not believed to be one that will end the veteran’s season. Still, this stands to affect the Patriots’ offensive line configuration to start the season.

Both tackle spots loomed as concerns for the Patriots this offseason, with perennial injury risk Trent Brown having missed time earlier this year. New England had also experienced issues at guard, with Michael Onwenu coming off the active/PUP list in late August. Cole Strange has also missed notable preseason time. Reiff now must miss at least four games. He will factor into the Pats’ IR-return mix; teams have eight such activations available in-season.

Reiff has only played tackle in games as a pro, but the former first-round pick was working at guard — a position he slid to at points in practice for the then-guard-limited Pats — when the injury occurred, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald notes. Reiff signed a one-year, $5MM deal in March, coming over after spending 2022 in Chicago. A Bears backup to start last season, Reiff eventually replaced Larry Borom in the 3-14 team’s lineup and started 10 games.

The well-traveled blocker has not run into substantial injury problems over the course of his career, only missing more than four games in a season once. That came in 2021, when an ankle injury sidelined him for the Bengals’ final five games. Working as Cincinnati’s starting right tackle that year, Reiff did not return for the team’s Super Bowl LVI run. Reiff, 34, will begin this season having started 149 career games.

This development creates uncertainty for the Pats, who were connected to a bigger investment at the position than the ones they eventually made. Rumored to be eyeing one of the top right tackles, the Pats instead added Reiff and ex-Broncos swing tackle Calvin Anderson. The team has rookie Sidy Sow as an option, and Kyed notes Onwenu moving back to tackle — a position he played earlier in his career with the Patriots — could be an emergency avenue. That would create a right guard vacancy.

New England also has Tyrone Wheatley Jr. and recent trade acquisition Vederian Lowe on its 53-man roster. Wheatley has yet to suit up for an NFL game; Lowe played in four as a Vikings backup last season. Sow arrived this year as a fourth-round pick out of Eastern Michigan. Anderson is the most experienced Patriots backup tackle. The Broncos’ tackle issues led to Anderson starting a career-high seven games last season. He has made 12 career starts but spent much of training camp on the active/non-football illness list.

AFC South Notes: Clowney, Titans, Colts

August 17th, 2023 at 3:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jadeveon Clowney has made two visits but remains a free agent. Following his Ravens meeting, the former No. 1 overall pick visited the Jaguars. Not only did the Jags let Clowney leave, Doug Pederson indicated (via NFL.com’s James Palmer) the well-traveled pass rusher left Jacksonville without a contract offer. Clowney, 30, did not exactly part ways with the Browns on good terms, clashing with the team’s coaching staff during his second season as Myles Garrett‘s top sidekick. Clowney has now played for four teams, and while a return to the AFC South would strengthen the Jags’ pass rush, no deal is imminent.

The Jags lost Arden Key, who signed with the Titans, but reunited with Dawuane Smoot, who is coming off a December Achilles tear. Key’s exit will place more pressure on last year’s No. 1 pick, Travon Walker, who finished with 3.5 sacks and 10 QB hits as a rookie. Josh Allen remains Jacksonville’s pass-rushing anchor, but more will be expected of Walker. Clowney played for $8MM in 2021 and $10MM last year. The Jaguars hold a $10MM cap-space lead on the Ravens, carrying $18.4MM to Baltimore’s $8.8MM.

Here is the latest from the AFC South:

  • Although the Titans made a promotion to fill their offensive coordinator job for the third straight occasion, Tim Kelly has made some changes. The team has pivoted to the type of offense Kelly and Bill O’Brien ran in Houston, rather than the version of the Sean McVay attack Matt LaFleur brought with him back in 2018, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. “There’s a touch more freedom in his offense,” Ryan Tannehill said of the Patriots-style attack. “Being able to make adjustments on the fly, make changes at the line of scrimmage, a little more freedom within the route trees.” The Titans dropped from 17th to 30th in total offense from 2021 to 2022, helping lead to Todd Downing‘s ouster.
  • Tennessee is once again dealing with issues staffing its right tackle position, with Nicholas Petit-Frere incurring a six-game gambling suspension. The Titans also released Jamarco Jones, who was competing for the temporary fill-in gig, early in training camp. July pickup Chris Hubbard has taken over as the frontrunner to replace Petit-Frere to start the season, The Athletic’s John Rexrode notes (subscription required). Hubbard, who spent the past five years in Cleveland, has not worked as a regular starter since 2019 and has only started one game over the past two seasons. The Titans will have four new O-line starters in Week 1, and with Aaron Brewer sliding from guard to center, the team will not have any 2022 O-line starter playing the same position to open the season.
  • As the Colts transition to another coaching staff, Mo Alie-Cox‘s Colts roster spot might not be secure. The veteran tight end is vying for a blocking role against offseason signing Pharaoh Brown, according to the Indianapolis Star’s Nate Atkins. The Colts have Jelani Woods as a roster lock and used a fifth-round pick on Will Mallory. While Atkins notes Alie-Cox should have the upper hand on Brown, the team has some decisions to make. Kylen Granson, a 2021 fourth-round pick, is also not assured of a job in Shane Steichen‘s offense. It would cost the Colts $2.4MM in dead money to release Alie-Cox, who has been with the team since 2017.
  • The Texans are hiring former Northwestern director of player personnel Jonny Kovach as a player personnel assistant, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes. Multiple offers came Kovach’s way, per Wilson. Kovach had stayed on with the Big Ten program due to loyalty to Pat Fitzgerald. With Fitzgerald dismissed in the wake of the program’s hazing scandal, Kovach will make the jump to the pros.

Colts, TE Pharaoh Brown Agree To Terms

March 31st, 2023 at 1:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

After a second stint with his hometown Browns, Pharaoh Brown will head back to the AFC South. The veteran tight end agreed to a deal with the Colts on Friday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets.

This agreement is pending a physical, with Fowler adding the contract is not expected to be official until April 9. Brown is a six-year vet whose most notable statistical contributions have come with the Texans.

[RELATED: Colts To Sign RB Darrynton Evans]

Brown, 28, has made a nice career for himself after coming into the league as a UDFA. The 6-foot-6 pass catcher will attempt to play a seventh NFL season, and the retooling Colts will provide that chance. Indianapolis is fairly well-stocked at tight end, rostering Mo Alie-Cox, Jelani Woods and Kylen Granson. Each of the team’s top tight ends arrived during GM Chris Ballard‘s tenure, though Woods and Granson were selected to play in Frank Reich‘s offense. Brown marks the first notable addition at the spot since Shane Steichen took over.

The Texans gave Brown a one-year, $3.5MM deal in 2022, and the Oregon alum proceeded to lose nearly 20 pounds to better position himself for receiving success. The weight loss did not lead to increased production; between stays in Houston and Cleveland last season, Brown totaled 12 catches for 117 yards.

Brown played at around 280 pounds in 2021, working more as an in-line blocker. That may be what the Colts would prefer, given his modest receiving numbers. Brown’s career-best receiving total is 171 yards, coming in 2021. Steichen, Jim Bob Cooter and Co. will see how Brown looks in their offense. The Colts also have 2022 sixth-rounder Andrew Ogletree and former Texas A&M standout-turned-UDFA Jalen Wydermyer on their roster at the position.

Browns To Bring Back TE Pharaoh Brown

October 5th, 2022 at 10:54am CST by Sam Robinson

Pharaoh Brown went from being the Texans’ Week 1 tight end starter to becoming an early-October cut. But Brown’s previous employer intends to bring him back.

The Browns plan to sign the newly available tight end, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets. The Cleveland native returned to his hometown Wednesday and will sign on for a second stint.

Brown, 28, played for the Browns in 2019 but had been with the Texans throughout the 2020s. The Browns initially brought in the Oregon alum during the final days of Hue Jackson‘s HC tenure in 2018, and he stayed on for the Freddie Kitchens one-off. The team waived him just ahead of Kevin Stefanski‘s first season at the helm but will circle back.

Houston ponied up $3MM to re-sign the sixth-year veteran this offseason but made some changes to its tight end group in the time since that deal came to pass. The Texans added O.J. Howard and brought back Jordan Akins in September, adding to a position group that includes 2021 fifth-rounder Brevin Jordan.

Not known much for his receiving skills, Brown has topped out at 23 receptions for 171 yards (in 2021). He snagged two touchdown receptions in 2020. Brown has seven catches for 72 yards this season. The former UDFA will rejoin David Njoku in Cleveland, though the rest of the team’s position group has changed since Brown was last with the team. The Browns have Harrison Bryant installed as their backup and Miller Forristall rounding out its tight end crew.

Texans Sticking With QB Davis Mills

October 4th, 2022 at 9:33pm CST by Ben Levine

Davis Mills has struggled to build on a surprisingly strong rookie campaign. The Texans quarterback has tossed four interceptions over the past two weeks, leading some to wonder if his starting job could be in jeopardy. However, head coach Lovie Smith was quick to dismiss that notion, noting the QB’s ability to keep them in Sunday’s loss to the Chargers.

“We’re not making a change at the quarterback position,” Smith said (h/t to Texans Wire). “The things we’ve talked about is with Davis leading us and whatever Davis and everyone, coaches, what we all need to do better. Did I just tell you we were in the fourth quarter? Do you know who our quarterback was that led us in position to take the lead there at the end? Davis Mills. He’s our quarterback.”

The 2021 third-round pick surprised many during his rookie campaign, completing 66.8 percent of his passes for 2,664 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Through four games this season, Mills has completed only 62 percent of his passes for 908 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions while guiding his squad to the NFL’s worst record (0-3-1).

The Texans had some uncertainty at the position prior to the Deshaun Watson trade, but despite opportunities to add to the position, the team decided to stick with their second-year quarterback. It would have been surprising to see the Texans move on from the youngster this early in the campaign, no matter the struggles. Plus, it’s not like Houston has many inspiring options behind him, with Kyle Allen serving as the QB2 and Jeff Driskel sitting on the practice squad.

Elsewhere in Houston, the team made a bit of a surprising move today when they cut tight end Pharaoh Brown, per Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com on Twitter. Brown inked a one-year, $3MM deal with the Texans this offseason, and he started each of the Texans first three games this season. After hauling in seven catches, Brown was inactive for Week 4 while dealing with hip and shoulder injuries. This move probably indicates that Brevin Jordan, who has missed two-straight games with an ankle issue, will be ready to return to a crowded TE room that also includes Jordan Akins and O.J. Howard.

Texans To Re-Sign TE Pharaoh Brown

March 15th, 2022 at 3:34pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Texans continue to bring back some of their in-house players. The team is re-signing tight end Pharaoh Brown on a one-year deal worth up to $4MM (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport).

Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson adds that $3MM of the total is fully guaranteed, while playing time incentives give the deal its potential value of $4MM (Twitter link). If Brown can reach the maximum, he would double his earnings from last season.

The 27-year-old joined the Raiders as a UDFA in 2017. He then spent one season with his hometown Cleveland Browns, though he recorded just two catches. He has spent the last two years in Houston, where his production has seen a notable increase.

In 28 games with the Texans (including 21 starts), Brown has posted 37 receptions for 334 yards and two touchdowns. By keeping him in the fold, the Texans are obviously pleased with the steps forward he has taken during his time with them.

Houston should still have enough cap room to make more moves, either by way of retaining more of their promising players from last season, or outside additions such as that of M.J. Stewart made earlier today.

RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/16/20

March 16th, 2020 at 4:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

Monday’s restricted free agent and exclusive rights free agent tender decisions will be posted below. Deals will be updated throughout the day.

RFAs

Tendered at original-round level:

Non-tendered:

ERFAs

Tendered:

Non-tendered:

  • Chiefs: TE David Wells

Browns Activate DB Terrance Mitchell From IR

December 8th, 2018 at 11:43am CST by Ben Levine

Terrance Mitchell is back. The Browns announced that they’ve activated the defensive back from the injured reserve. To make room on the roster, the team placed TE Pharaoh Brown on the IR.

Mitchell signed a three-year, $12MM deal with the Browns this offseason, and he proceeded to start each of Cleveland’s first three games. The 26-year-old was productive during the early stretch of the season, compiling 19 tackles, three passes defended, two forced fumbles, and one interception. This followed a 2017 campaign where he established career-highs in tackles (53), passes defended (18) and interceptions (four) with the Chiefs.

Mitchell ended up fracturing his wrist in late September, landing him on the injured reserve. With the former seventh-rounder back on the active roster, he’ll be joining a cornerbacks corps that currently features T.J. Carrie, Denzel Ward, Phillip Gaines, Tavierre Thomas, and Juston Burris.

Brown has split the season between the Browns’ active roster and practice squad, and he’s been listed as inactive for Cleveland’s past five games. The move now leaves the Browns with four tight ends in David Njoku, Darren Fells, Seth Devalve, and Orson Charles.

Load More Posts