Browns cut ties with rookie after less than 2 weeks
After less than two weeks with the team, the Cleveland Browns are saying goodbye to one of their undrafted free-agent signings.
It has been less than two weeks since the Cleveland Browns signed a slew of undrafted free agents after the NFL Draft and one of them is already getting cut. The Browns announced on Tuesday that they have parted ways with defensive tackle Bernard Gooden, who was one of 12 UDFA signings the team made on May 8. Gooden played his college ball at Wake Forest, South Florida and then LSU , where he spent his final collegiate season.
In 2025, Gooden posted four tackles for loss, two sacks and 24 combined tackles. He was facing an uphill climb to make the roster, so his getting cut isn’t a surprise. That said, it is surprising to see him done in Cleveland this quickly.
Browns announce more roster moves Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; LSU wideout Aaron Anderson (WO01) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Along with cutting Gooden, the Browns also said goodbye to tight end Caden Prieskorn and wide receiver Isaiah Wooden. Taking their spots on the roster are wide receiver Aaron Anderson and linebacker Reid Carrico, both of whom are undrafted rookies and took part in the Browns’ rookie minicamp , and defensive end Markees Watts.
Watts is the most notable name of that group. The 26-year-old went undrafted out of Charlotte in 2023 and has spent all three seasons of his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . In that span, Watts tallied 1.