Browns make curious free-agent addition official

Brian Allen was a part of the Rams Super Bowl championship

Just when we think things will be settling down for the Cleveland Browns after drafting six players in the 2024 NFL draft and, reportedly, agreeing to deals with nine undrafted free agents, GM Andrew Berry is up to something again. A day after signing OL Roy Mbaeteka, Berry is going back to the offensive line well by signing center Brian Allen, according to reports.

Allen was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams. He has played in just 12 games since helping the Rams win the Super Bowl as their starting center. Knee and thumb issues limited him to seven games in 2022, shortly after signing an extension, and he was replaced as the starter in 2023 by Coleman Shelton.

According to Allen’s agency, including former Browns offensive lineman Shawn Lauvao, Allen is headed to Cleveland. Another former Cleveland offensive lineman, LeCharles Bentley, founded AMDG Sports and is excited for Allen’s next opportunity:

Update:

The team has made the signing of Allen official:

We note that the move is curious given the Browns current offensive line depth chart. Ethan Pocic was given a three-year contract last offseason and Luke Wypler was drafted in last year’s draft at the center position. At the guard position, Cleveland added Zak Zinter to the interior of the line in this year’s draft and re-signed Michael Dunn as the backups to stars Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller.

Taking a chance on a player that was one of the better centers before getting injured in 2022 makes sense but it raises questions about the future for either Pocic or Wypler for a team that is likely to keep only two centers.