Cleveland Browns rookie Quinshon Judkins' already causing distractions

The Cleveland Browns once again find themselves in a difficult situation right before the start of the 2025 season.  Similarly to 2024, and previous Ohio State Buckeye drafted in the second round has found himself in legal trouble. 

Last year it was Michael Hall Jr., and this year it's rookie running back Quinshon Judkins.  The situation's outcome is still unclear, but if there is a suspension, Andrew Berry’s gamble on fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson will be magnified.

This is an organization that has let Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb walk away, both who were instrumental parts in any success this team has had since 2019.  Moving on from those players weren’t necessarily wrong, but fans always see things in hindsight which has let to a situation where no additional distractions are needed.

Berry now finds himself in a situation where he has no quarterback after guaranteeing someone $230 million, and he has a less-than-desired running back if there is a suspension to Judkins after letting Chubb walk for a $2.5 million deal in Houston.   

The offense should be in a much better place in 2025 with Tommy Rees and Kevin Stefanski pulling the strings, but a lot more pressure will be on Jerome Ford, who struggled last year, and Sampson, who is coming off a lingering hamstring injury that halted his collegiate production at the end of the season.

If Sampson can’t give you meaningful carries this fall and struggles to get on the field, Berry is going to get torched for drafting someone who can’t get on the field and produce.  This team already has enough challenges on and off the field, and this issue with Judkins is the last thing they needed.