Report: Browns sign former Cowboys' defensive end

Despite the Cleveland Browns officially cutting down the roster to 53 players on Sunday evening, general manager Andrew Berry and the front office continue to make multiple moves before Week One of the 2026-27 NFL regular season.

According to NFL insider Jeremy Fowler on Tuesday morning, the Browns have signed former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams after clearing waivers.

Williams' potential role with the Browns

Williams, a former second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, was a key rotational piece for the Cowboys ' defense over the past few seasons. Since joining the league, Williams recorded 85 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles in 49 games played.

Throughout his first two seasons in Dallas, the Ole Miss product showed plenty of promise, tallying 8.5 sacks during the stretch. Unfortunately for Williams, his career would take a turn for the worse before the 2024 season after suffering a season-ending ACL and MCL tear.

His return to the field in 2025 was underwhelming -- posting 37 tackles and one sack in 17 games. And with Dallas completely overhauling the defensive line this offseason, Williams was a causality of the roster cutdown period this past week.

The addition of Williams to the 53-man roster should not come as a surprise to Browns fans. Berry and the front office have made it a point to retool the defensive end room this offseason following the trade of star Myles Garrett and Alex Wright's season-ending injury . Cleveland signed veteran Derek Barnett earlier this offseason, as the organization will likely turn to the longtime veteran and Williams to provide additional support for newly acquired defensive end Jared Verse.

However, in order for the Browns to make room for Williams, Berry cut preseason standout cornerback Michael Coats Jr. on Tuesday. The 2026 UDFA signing out of West Virginia had an incredible stretch of games during the preseason, but the Browns could sign him to the practice squad if he clears waivers .