March 8, 2026, 9:19 p.m. ET

NFL free agency legal tampering period starts on Monday, March 9th, and the Cleveland Browns have created enough room to spend. One player they have been linked to is a linebacker who played under current defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg during their time together with the Atlanta Falcons.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler released a pre-free agency primer, and he linked the Browns to free agent linebacker Kaden Elliss. The 6-foot-2 and 240-pound linebacker is coming off a season under the new Browns’ defensive coordinator, where he racked up 107 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and an interception for the Falcons.

Could he be the new man next to reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger?

Browns’ NFL free agency plans at linebacker

In his primer, Fowler mentioned Elliss as a target for the Browns, as he has a big fan in Rutenberg. However, Fowler also dropped another linebacker the Browns could be prioritizing instead: Devin Bush. Here is what the ESPN insider had to say:

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“Linebacker Kaden Elliss has fans around the league among the previous staffs he has played for: San Francisco (defensive coordinator Raheem Morris) and Cleveland (defensive coordinator Mike Rutenburg), among others, though Cleveland has interest in re-signing Devin Bush at linebacker.”

Bush is also coming off a career year with the Browns under former defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. He amassed 125 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and three interceptions this past season for the Cleveland defense.

How much these free agent linebackers would cost the Browns

Looking ahead at the cost of both players, Elliss and Bush, let’s turn to our friends over at Over the Cap, who do a splendid job of setting player valuations ahead of free agency.

Over the Cap has the 31-year-old Elliss’ price tag set at $10.6 million per year. Likely getting a contract beyond one season, this could mean the Browns could ink Ellis to a contract of three years, worth around $33 million with $22 million of that contract guaranteed. But what is Bush valued at as he hits the open market?

Looking at Bush’s valuation, OTC has him locked in at $15.3 million per year after his breakout season in 2025. A former first round pick, Bush found his stride with the Browns and now could be looking at a similar three-year deal of around $45 million with $30 million of that contract guaranteed.

Let’s see which way the Browns roll the dice.