Wills missed much of last season with a knee injury and per Schultz is “planning to sit out most — or possibly all — of the upcoming season to fully recover.” The former 10th overall pick of the Browns had a career-worst 52.9 PFF blocking grade in 2024 and both his playing time and grades have declined steadily since 2022. It’s possible he surfaces in-season ala D.J. Humphries in 2024.

Wills will be eligible to return in Week 18, though that doesn’t seem likely. The former No. 10 overall suffered an MCL injury last year that limited him to just eight games. The issue lingered into 2024, resulting in just five appearances for Wills this season. Wills also admitted that he made a “business decision” not to play in a game versus Baltimore this year because of the knee issue. While it makes sense on paper for a player in a contract year to not play hurt, that doesn’t fly in the NFL. Wills’ draft pedigree should earn him a short-term deal as a starter in free agency, though his time in Cleveland is over.

Wills was benched for Dawand Jones a few weeks ago after making “a business decision” to not play through his knee issue. The impending free agent may have played his last snap for the Browns. Jones went down with a season-ending injury last week. Germain Ifedi took his spot in the lineup and will stay there for Week 12.

Kay Cabot notes that Wills Jr.'s knee injury flared up. He told reporters this week that he was benched earlier in the season for making a “business decision.” Wills Jr. was referring to not trying to play through an injury against the Ravens earlier in the year. He was off the injury report, but played only two snaps in Week 9 before the Browns bye week. Now he’s hurt again and won’t play against the Saints. The former first round pick is set to hit free agency this offseason.