The Cleveland Browns͏’ second-͏round pick, Q͏ui͏nshon͏ J͏udkins, ͏has spent the offseason in the spotlight for͏ reasons that extend beyond the football field.
With Week ͏1 approaching, many ͏wondered ͏why the rookie running back͏ was yet to finalize his first NFL contract, which left his immediate future in question͏.
Will Quinshon Judkins Play in Week 1 vs. Bengals?
Judkins’ situation began in July when he was arrested in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on a misdemeanor battery charge related to domestic violence.
Prosecutors later declined to pursue the case, citing problems with the evidence. Florida’s assistant state attorney noted in a memorandum that the report came in late, there was no video footage, and no independent witnesses stepped forward. On August 14, the case was officially dropped.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz confirmed that Judkins would not face legal consequences, reporting, “Browns rookie RB Quinshon Judkins will not face any formal charges. This clears the way for him to return to the team, and I’m told that should likely happen in the near future.”
Sources: #Browns rookie RB Quinshon Judkins will not face any formal charges, as prosecutors have declined to move forward with the case.
This clears the way for him to return to the team, and I’m told that should likely happen in the near future. pic.twitter.com/H5wBxYIRvA
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 14, 2025
Earlier, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Browns and Judkins have not yet reached an agreement because the NFL is conducting its own investigation.
He explained that “Though Cleveland second-round pick Quinshon Judkins will not face any charges, he and the Browns still have been unable to reach a deal and may not until the end of any NFL investigation.”
Though Cleveland second-round pick Quinshon Judkins will not face any charges, he and the Browns still have been unable to reach a deal and may not until the end of any NFL investigation. pic.twitter.com/QzbE6j8tsK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 18, 2025
The team technically has the option to sign him at any point, but with league officials still reviewing the incident, the Browns’ front office appeared to be waiting before finalizing his rookie deal.
#Update: On Saturday, September 6, Judkins officially signed his rookie contract with the Browns. “The Browns are signing second-round RB Quinshon Judkins to his fully guaranteed deal, sources say,” wrote NFL insider Ian Rapoport on X.
“All draft picks are now under contract,” Rapoport continued. “Judkins’ legal situation is behind him after no charges were filed, though the NFL is still conducting its investigation.”
Schefter confirmed that Judkins signed a four-year, $11.4 million deal with the Browns. He said, “Finally: the Cleveland Browns and their second-round pick Quinshon Judkins reached agreement today on a four-year, $11.4 million deal that now means all 2025 draft picks have deals.”
READ MORE: Should I Draft Quinshon Judkins? Fantasy Outlook for the Browns’ Rookie RB in 2025
Despite signing his contract ahead of Week 1, Judkins is unlikely to play against the Cincinnati Bengals. “Judkins is not expected to play this week for the #Browns,” Rapoport said, “But depending on practice, could play the following week.”
The Ohio State product was drafted to replace longtime Browns star Nick Chubb, who signed with the Houston Texans this offseason. That expectation adds more weight to the ongoing contract situation, as the Browns look to solidify their backfield.
Judkins’ Fantasy Outlook
PFSN’s Kyle Soppe wrote this about the Browns’ rookie RB’s fantasy outlook heading into Week 1:
The fact that all charges against Quinshon Judkins were dropped this summer provides clarity that was not initially apparent. However, his early-season outlook remains cloudy at best, given the amount of missed practice time and the projected general ineptitude of the Cleveland Browns’ offense.
This situation could turn into an imperfect storm, with Judkins only brought up to speed by the time a quarterback change occurs. While optimism for a strong start to the season is low, there is a clear path to volume on a team that will likely prefer to run the ball, so this situation warrants our attention.
That interest is rooted in his past performance. Judkins cleared 1,200 yards and scored at least 16 times in all three of his collegiate seasons, and that pedigree is what required the Browns to spend a second-round pick on him.
That said, they have gotten a full camp of Dylan Sampson and are comfortable with Jerome Ford. This profiles as a wide-open committee situation, making it a problem to fade for now. Rostering any of these backs is more of an October play, and that might be on the optimistic side of things.
