In the era of the 24-hour sports news cycle, the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars pulled off a nearly impossible feat: a quiet trade. Many people think of the weeks and months before the draft as a “lying season,” the period where leaks and contrary information flood social media and the airwaves.
The bluffing keeps management’s intention unknown. From rumors to reports, we’re never sure what to believe. However, when not just one but two franchises manage to keep monumental trade news under wraps, you cannot help but marvel.
How Did the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars Keep a Massive Trade Quiet?
With every credible news outlet with eyes and ears in every NFL organization keeping quiet, it disappeared with the dinosaurs. For Browns executive vice president of football operations Andrew Berry and Jaguars general manager James Gladstone working together under the cover of media darkness ranks among the shrewdest trade moves in recent NFL memory.
The two executives orchestrated a trade that changed the landscape for both teams.
Cleveland sent the No. 2, No. 104, and No. 200 selections in the 2025 NFL Draft to Jacksonville. In return, the Jaguars shipped the No. 5, No. 36, and No. 126 picks of this past year’s draft, along with their 2026 first-round selection.
With the second pick, Jacksonville chose Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter.
Recently, Gladstone and Berry went on the “With the First Pick” podcast to discuss the matter, with the former detailing what exactly happened.
“The owner meetings. It serves as a good touchpoint for many of the general managers, especially for those that are first time in the seat. I think it was roughly two weeks out from the draft that we really had a strong framework for what ultimately ended up being what we were able to execute once Cleveland was on the clock.”
To their credit, the general managers used the owners’ meetings for what they are intended for: networking and business. Pulling off a trade that gave the Jaguars their franchise face and the Browns a pile of picks looks like a win-win for both.
Heading into the meetings, though, Berry mentioned that he didn’t really know Gladstone.
“Like James mentioned, we really didn’t have a relationship before the spring for a deal that big and to keep it under wraps that long.”
With the bounty of picks, Cleveland selected defensive tackle Mason Graham (No. 5 overall) and running backs Quinshon Judkins (36) and Dylan Sampson (126). Meanwhile, Jacksonville chose Hunter (2), running back Bhayshul Tuten (104), and safety Rayuan Lane III (200).
The Browns found two replacements for Nick Chubb who could be focal points of the offense over the next four seasons. Head coach Kevin Stefanski loves the run game. During his six seasons as either a head coach or offensive coordinator, his teams ranked in the top 10 in multiple rushing categories on four different occasions.
Last season, Cleveland fielded one of the worst offenses in the NFL, earning a failing grade in PFSN’s Offense+ metrics. Looking to rebound, Stefanski decided to go back to what he prefers.
The Jaguars, meanwhile, drafted a game-breaker on both sides of the ball. But whether Hunter plays both sides of the field remains to be seen.
Nevertheless, overall, both franchises immediately improved, thanks to the quietest blockbuster in years.
