Just a day after finalizing a deal with ex-Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney on September 9, the Cleveland Browns continued their pursuit of recent Chiefs departures on September 10.
According to KPRC 2 NFL insider Aaron Wilson, “former Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun had an impressive workout with the Browns on Tuesday, throwing to tight ends Geoff Swaim, Tommy Sweeney, and Irv Smith Jr.”
Oladokun and Smith both spent the 2024 offseason and training camp with the Chiefs, though Oladokun has been with the team since 2022.
Later on September 10, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported that Swaim outperformed the other tight ends during the workout. Swaim will join the Browns practice squad, alongside Toney, while Oladokun’s immediate future remains uncertain.
Chiefs Opt for Bailey Zappe Over Chris Oladokun
Following strong performances in the first two preseason games of 2024, Oladokun seemed poised to secure a spot on the Chiefs practice squad for the third consecutive year. He completed 13 of 17 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown in those games, with no turnovers.
However, his preseason finale against the Chicago Bears was problematic. Oladokun struggled, completing only 9 of 16 passes for 66 yards, with two interceptions and a low passer rating of 26.6. This performance contributed to his departure, as the Chiefs opted to sign former New England Patriots draft pick Bailey Zappe to their practice squad instead.
Browns’ Recent Moves and Deshaun Watson’s Situation
The Browns were in need of a new tight end following David Njoku’s Week 1 ankle injury. Additionally, Oladokun’s visit might be connected to recent developments surrounding Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. On September 9, Watson was sued in Houston for sexual assault, battery, and emotional distress stemming from a 2020 incident, as reported by Pro Football Talk insider Mike Florio.
Despite the lawsuit, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported on September 10 that the NFL does not plan to place Watson on the commissioner’s exempt list since there are no criminal charges and the league’s review has just begun. NFL public relations officer Brian McCarthy stated, “We are reviewing the complaint and will look into the matter under the Personal Conduct Policy.”
Currently, the Browns have three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster: Watson, Jameis Winston, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. However, they do not have a quarterback on their practice squad, which may explain their interest in exploring options at the position.
Despite the legal issues, Watson’s performance with the Browns has been underwhelming. In 13 starts, he has thrown 15 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, with a 59.1% completion rate, a passer rating of 78.1, and a QBR of 40.4.