Zac Jackson

Ohio

Writer, Browns and NFL at The Athletic

Co-Host at The A to Z Podcast With Andre Knott and Zac Jackson

Browns and NFL writer for @TheAthleticNFL. Zac Jackson and Friends Podcast: https://t.co/hzccPC0wvk

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Articles

What we learned from NFL offseason workouts: One key observation for every team

5 days ago | nytimes.com | Dan Pompei |Zac Jackson |Dan Duggan |Jeff Howe

The answers to the questions that will define various NFL teams in 2025 won’t begin to uncover themselves until training camps commence in July. But between rookie camps, minicamps and OTAs, The Athletic’s beat writers have plenty to ponder for now. How have new head coaches adjusted in their first practices? Has an embattled player arrived looking like a remade version of himself? Has a free-agent addition impressed early? What about a rookie who’s changed the outlook on an anticipated camp battle?
Browns’ non-QB position groups we’ll watch closely when training camp arrives

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Zac Jackson

The quarterback position will continue to be the headline story when the Cleveland Browns start training camp in late July. But in the wake of last week’s mandatory minicamp and the end of the team’s formal offseason program, we explore some of the other position groups that appear wide open once the Browns begin cutting the roster from 90 players to the regular-season size of 53. Wide receiverIt’s not wholly accurate to say the Browns’ receiving corps is Jerry Jeudy and then everyone else.
QBs slowly making strides, Denzel Ward still in top form

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Zac Jackson

Save for a couple of passes thrown in the direction of tight end David Njoku and a few offensive snaps destroyed by all-world defensive end Myles Garrett, what we've seen through two days of mandatory minicamp for the Cleveland Browns is mostly what we saw in brief glimpses of rookie minicamp and voluntary organized team activities. We've been largely tracking the quarterback competition.
Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders focused on making steady improvement at Browns minicamp

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Zac Jackson

BEREA, Ohio - Tuesday's practice was for the rookies, as the Cleveland Browns opened their mandatory minicamp and moved to the next phase of their four-man quarterback competition. Joe Flacco, the old man of the group at 40 years old and 17 seasons of experience, took no reps in competitive drills. Kenny Pickett, who turned 27 last week, was first in the warmup lines and first up in the late-practice red zone drill.
Nick Chubb never wanted the spotlight in Cleveland. He just wanted the ball

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Zac Jackson

Nick Chubb is an all-time great Cleveland Browns player. Not just a great new-era player, and not just an all-time great Browns running back - a list that's impressive compared to any franchise. The Chubb statue should be commissioned immediately. It should have comically oversized arms and quads, and at its base, there should be helpless defenders reaching for Chubb's ankles or bouncing off his forearm.
The QB competition, Dawand Jones' development among things to watch

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Zac Jackson

Ahead of the Cleveland Browns' mandatory minicamp that runs June 10-12, here's a look at what we've seen during organized team activities, including a "big" story on the offensive line and some thoughts on the state of the passing game as the quarterback competition continues at its unremarkable pace. Solidifying the left tackle jobOffensive tackle Dawand Jones is noticeably lighter.
Browns rookies Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders getting increased reps in OTAs

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Zac Jackson

The coaches closely overseeing the Cleveland Browns' quarterback competition aren't saying much about their early impressions, at least not more than they have to. Wednesday's second opportunity for reporters to watch an organized team activity wasn't exactly revealing, either. Reps are being shared, and though every rep counts in some fashion, it feels too early to learn anything from what we've seen on the practice fields.
Guard Joel Bitonio says Browns have to 'establish our standard' as a run-focused offense

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Zac Jackson

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio - Rock-solid Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio considered retirement after a difficult 2024 season, but he informed the team in March that he planned to return. Now that it's June, Bitonio sees the 2025 Browns returning to a familiar offensive blueprint that focuses on the run game and relies on an experienced, well-paid offensive line to help stabilize things and contribute to a much-improved product.
Matchmaker Monday: What to do with Mateusz Gamrot

3 weeks ago | mmauk.net | Zac Jackson

Following Mateusz Gamrot’s decision win against Ludovit Klein at UFC Vegas 107, the lightweight is back in need of matchmaking, having struggled to get a fight before the Klein booking. The Klein matchup was strange to begin with due to the difference in ranking, with Gamrot ranked No. 7 and Klein not even in the top 15. However, this became clearer leading up to fight week.
What I saw from Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders and others

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Zac Jackson

Here are some things I saw and heard during the Cleveland Browns' first open organized team activity practice on Wednesday, along with some thoughts on what's somewhat meaningful at this stage - and what might not be. The quarterbacksDuring the season, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has been known to deploy a mix of short and non-answers to not spill a single ounce of injury or strategy information in front of a microphone. I usually hate it, but I get it.