The Cleveland Browns have been a team to watch this summer — whether it’s the four-man quarterback battle or the buzz surrounding Shedeur Sanders. Meanwhile, the Browns’ second overall pick, Quinshon Judkins, had a major development off the field as he was cleared in a legal case just as training camp was wrapping up.
“Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins won't face a formal misdemeanor battery charge over an alleged domestic incident in South Florida last month, a spokesperson for the Broward State Attorney's Office told ESPN on Thursday,” ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi wrote.
After that decision, many expected Judkins to sign his rookie contract. However, that still hasn’t happened — and the reason appears to be tied to an ongoing NFL investigation.
“Despite that development, contract negotiations have not moved forward. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Browns and Judkins have not yet reached an agreement because the NFL is conducting its own investigation,” PFSN’s Abhimanyu wrote.
Then came a surprising twist: Judkins might be able to exploit a loophole and return to Ohio State — since he hasn’t signed an NFL contract yet.
“If the player never signs an NFL contract (and Judkins has not), why shouldn’t he be able to return to college? The NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement contemplates the possibility of a player returning to school after the draft. While not binding on the NCAA, it shows that it shouldn’t be viewed as an impossibility,” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote.
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However, Judkins seems to have made up his mind about the idea — and he reportedly won’t be taking that route.
“Regardless, there’s still no contract. Even though Judkins could try to go back to college football and return to the NFL next year (the Browns would still hold his contract rights), he’s reportedly not considering what recent developments in court have made into a viable possibility for any player who doesn’t want to sign his rookie contract,” Florio wrote.
With the NFL season just a week away, Judkins still doesn’t have a contract — and unless the league wraps up its investigation soon, a deal seems unlikely before Week 1. It's an unfortunate situation for both the Browns and Judkins, especially as he has the potential to be their top running back. Until the NFL concludes its review, Cleveland appears stuck in a holding pattern. So far, no player has tested the loophole that could allow a return to college — but Judkins had a chance.