A former Detroit Lions starting wide receiver has earned a look with the Cleveland Browns as clubs look to fill out their rosters heading into next week's preseason openers.
Former Lions fifth-round pick Quintez Cephus was among a handful of players to work out with the Browns earlier this week.
#Browns worked out Quintez Cephus, Chase Cota, Onuma Dieke, Loic Fouonji, Keenan Isaac
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 31, 2025
It's worth noting that wide receiver Chase Cota (as well as cornerback Keenan Isaac) was signed by the club following the workout that featured Cephus.
We've signed WR Chase Cota and CB Keenan Isaac
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 1, 2025
Quintez Cephus' Roller Coaster 2024 and 2025
After a promising first two seasons with the Lions, Cephus has struggled to find a team to latch onto over the past two seasons. The former Wisconsin great was released by the Lions in April 2023 after being suspended by the league due to violating the league's gambling policy.
Cephus was reinstated by the league in April 2024 and signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills before being released by the club just one month later. Cephus would spend time with the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams, last season but failed to appear in any games with either team.
The San Francisco 49ers signed Cephus on July 24 but released the veteran wideout just four-days later on July 28.
Browns' Lack of Receiver Quality May Earn Cephus a Look
With a receiver room consisting of Jerry Jeudy, Diontae Johnson, and Cedric Tillman in addition to unproven youngsters or veteran journeyman such as David Bell, Jamari Thrash, DeAndre Carter, Kaden Davis, Luke Floriea, Gage Larvadian, Winston Wright, Kisean Johnson, and Chase Cota, the Browns are certainly in the market for some veteran wideout help, and Cephus may be worth a look from the club.
If Cephus were to latch on with the Browns, there's still a question who would be throwing him the ball as it appears to be an open quarterback competition between 40-year-old Joe Flacco and rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel as projected starter, Kenny Pickett has missed most of OTAs and training camp with a hamstring injury, which is likely to force him to miss at least the start of the pre-season.