by: Alex Byington 23 minutes ago _AlexByington
Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Tony Brown II (11) breaks up a pass for Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Browns have begun making cuts to get down to its 53-player roster limit on Sunday, and former Alabama defensive back Tony Brown is among the first to receive his pink slip. The Browns have formally released Brown, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Brown will now have to clear waivers before he can sign with another team. The Browns were Brown’s sixth NFL organization since going undrafted out of Alabama in the 2018 NFL Draft , having played for the Packers , Bengals , and Colts , while also appearing on practice squads for both the Chargers and Raiders .
Brown re-signed with the Browns in March after appearing in six games for Cleveland in the 2024 season, finidhing with five combined tackles and one forced fumble. Brown played 18 combined games for the Indianapolis Colts between 2022-23, combining on 17 total tackles with one interception and one forced fumble. For his NFL career, Brown has 80 total tackles in 67 career games across six seasons.
Shirtless Tony Brown walks around with wooden sickle before Browns-Panthers preseason game
Now-former Browns cornerback Tony Brown introduced a new pregame accessory ahead of Cleveland’s preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 8. Brown turned heads when he walked onto the field barefoot while holding what appeared to be scythe — a staff with a curved blade at the end.
Brown didn’t reveal the significance of the odd instrument, but carried on as usual ahead of the Browns’ preseason opener. It’s not the first time that Brown’s antics have raised eyebrows. In fact, his shirtless warmups and always-entertaining postgame interviews have earned him the nickname, “Crazy Tony.”