Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry had a decision to make with linebacker Devin Bush heading into free agency.
Bush had spent the past two seasons with the Browns and was entering free agency after a 2025 season in which he posted a career-high 125 tackles and returned two of his three interceptions for touchdowns.
Advertisement
Berry had to weigh whether signing Bush to another deal was worth the gamble that the seven-year veteran would continue to play at that level, or return to the subpar play he had posted before coming to Cleveland.
The Chicago Bears took the question off the table when they signed Bush to a three-year contract, leaving Berry to turn instead to veteran Quincy Williams, a former first-team All-Pro who had fallen out of favor with the New York Jets.
Cleveland is banking on Williams regaining that form under defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg, who worked with Williams with the Jets and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With the first week of free agency in the books, let’s take a look at some opinions on the decision to sign Williams.
Beacon Journal’s Chris Easterling: B
The Browns named Mike Rutenberg their defensive coordinator in late February. In mid-March, they signed former 2023 All-Pro Williams, one of Rutenberg’s linebackers from their time together with the New York Jets. The Browns had just lost free-agent linebacker Devin Bush to a deal with the Chicago Bears, and it was a definite need for a defense mostly returning intact. Williams fills that void, while also providing Rutenberg with a valuable locker room ally.
Pro Football Focus: Below Average
Williams had a fantastic 2023 season, earning an 88.7 PFF coverage grade. But that is the only season of his career where he produced a 70.0-plus mark. He’s coming off a poor 35.2 PFF coverage grade and five touchdowns surrendered in coverage in 2025.
The Sporting News: C+
The deciding factor in this signing appears to be familiarity. Williams’ first linebacker coach in the NFL was Mike Rutenberg, who is now the Browns new Defensive Coordinator. Cleveland is banking on that existing relationship to help Williams regain his 2023 All-Pro form. Bowen notes that Williams still offers a high-end range as a tackler and versatility in “second-level” alignments to pressure the quarterback, but he has to prove he can match the down-to-down consistency Bush provided.
On paper, this is a clear downgrade in current production. Replacing a 125-tackle player with a soon-to-be 30-year-old who struggled to reach 90 last year is a risk, especially when the defense was the backbone of the team. However, saving roughly $1.5M per year against the cap and reuniting a player with a coach who knows how to maximize his “splash play” ability keeps this from being a failure. It’s a “wait-and-see” move that relies entirely on coaching over raw 2025 stats.
A to Z Sports’ Brandon Little: A-
Cleveland has gotten strong linebacker play for the most part under linebackers coach Jason Tarver, who has been able to get the most out of the position. Williams plugging in as a starter at 29 years old in season No. 8 should be no different.
Williams’ best season came in 2023 when he was named first team All-Pro with 139 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception, and 10 pass breakups. The former Jet did have a bit of a down season in terms of his prior play in 2025, where he finished with 83 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 13 games.
Cleveland gets a proven player to replace Bush at a cheaper price point than the $30 million that Chicago gave Bush over three years. The coverage has to be better for Williams in 2026, and he’ll be surrounded by the makings of an elite defense to help make it happen.
I’m a big fan of this signing for the Browns and how good he potentially can be playing alongside Schwesinger and behind an elite defensive line.
So there is a sampling of what the national media has to say about the Browns signing Williams in free agency. Now it is your turn – let us know what you think of Cleveland’s newest linebacker in the comments!
