Wyatt Teller has been with the Browns since 2019, as the team made a savvy trade with the Bills to acquire a talented blocker who had not hit his stride just yet. The 2018 fifth-round pick has been selected to three All-Pro teams (as a second-teamer) and three Pro Bowls. Teller was a linchpin of Browns O-lines that paved lanes for Nick Chubb and produced two playoff berths this decade. But that group could splinter soon. Teller joins Joel Bitonio and Jack Conklin as longtime Cleveland blockers on expiring contracts.
The Browns lost Teller to a calf injury against the 49ers, but they had already cut into his workload in what The Athletic’s Zac Jackson calls a preplanned benching. This brought ex-Bears starter Teven Jenkins into the lineup, which NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe notes was by design. Jenkins is also in a contract year, signing for one season at $3.1MM. He has not started a game in Cleveland, but that is expected to change this week. As Jenkins prepares to replace Teller due to injury, the Browns having planned to reduce his playing time already points to a likely 2026 exit for the seven-year starter.
Teller said earlier this season he wanted to finish his career in Cleveland, and a new deal was believed to be under consideration as of September. Unlike Bitonio, the 31-year-old has not been linked to retirement. Teller’s four-year, $56.8MM extension voids on Feb. 10, 2026; no extension by that point would leave $10.39MM on Cleveland’s 2026 cap sheet. While Teller could expect to draw free agency interest, it will be worth following if he reacquires his starting job after this calf injury. Jenkins has plenty to play for as well, after his market underwhelmed this past offseason.
Here is the latest from the O-line ranks:
- The Bears also made another change at left tackle, inserting Ozzy Trapilo into their lineup to open their Black Friday matchup. Trapilo replaced Theo Benedet against the Eagles, helping the Bears compile a stunning 281 rushing yards in a road upset. Ben Johnson pointed to the second-round rookie, primarily a right tackle at Boston College, receiving more time at LT. The first-year HC called Trapilo “an ascending player,” via 670 The Score’s Chris Emma, and hinted at more reps coming his way. Benedet, who started seven games after usurping Braxton Jones, worked as a reserve against Philly. Considering Jones’ likely free agency departure, Trapilo seemed on track to receive a chance. Given Chicago’s success up front this season, plenty of eyes will be on the 6-foot-8 newcomer playing on a veteran O-line. Pro Football Focus ranks Benedet 67th among tackles.
- Green Bay also made a Week 13 change involving a second-round O-lineman, inserting Anthony Belton into its lineup at right guard over Jordan Morgan. After Belton ate into the first-round pick’s time in Week 12, he took over as the starter against the Lions. The Packers had alternated first-half series between Morgan and Belton in Week 12, but as The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman notes, Belton worked the entire second half. It appears the job is his. A 2024 first-rounder, Morgan has been unable to find a home on Green Bay’s O-line. He has competed at guard and left tackle. With Rasheed Walker likely departing as a 2026 free agent, Morgan’s next chance to start (barring injury) could come then. Schneidman points to Morgan moving to that spot if/once Walker departs in March.
- Staying on the subject of O-lineman rotating into action, Ravens rookie Emery Jones did so at left guard Thursday. Jones, who came off Baltimore’s reserve/NFI list in late October, played 16 snaps in his debut. John Harbaugh pointed to more work, though the 18th-year HC said (via The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec) it is unlikely Jones will be cross-trained at RG as well. Primarily a college tackle, Jones cut into Andrew Vorhees‘ playing time at LG in Week 13. A 2024 seventh-rounder, Vorhees has started every Ravens game there this season.