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BEREA, Ohio — As trade rumors swirl ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, Browns right guard Wyatt Teller isn’t spending his time refreshing his social media or worrying about what might come next. Even though Teller has been at the center of trade speculation due to the Browns’ 2-6 record, he knows that worrying about those rumors won’t do any good. More Cleveland Browns coverage Packers star out for season after knee injury: Report Browns search for answers on offense & potential trades: Monday’s Sports 4 CLE Thoughts on Tommy Rees as the Brown new playcaller: Berea Report (Video) “At the end of the day I view it as like, hey, it’s a compliment,” Teller said on Monday, about 24 hours ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline. “People think that I’m good enough to get traded. I hope that I don’t get traded. I want to retire a Cleveland Brown. I love it here.” Teller very likely doesn’t have much to worry about. Cleveland isn’t actively seeking to trade veterans in the final years of their contracts, such as Teller or tight end David Njoku. Of course, in the NFL you can never say never and the team remains open to possibilities — other than trading Myles Garrett. Ironically, Teller arrived to Cleveland via trade in 2019, after spending his rookie year with the Buffalo Bills. With the Browns he’s ingrained himself in the community both on and off the field. He’s become a steady presence on the O-line, earning three Pro Bowl nods and two second-team All-Pro selections. Teller has also worked with the military community in the area, and was the team’s Salute to Service nominee in both 2022 and 2025. The prestigious award, presented annually by USAA and the NFL, honors a league member who demonstrates an exemplary commitment to honoring and supporting the military community. The right guard has also spent the most-formative years of his personal life in Cleveland. He married his wife, Carly, during 2021 offseason after proposing on the field at Cleveland Browns Stadium in 2020. The couple had their children here as well: son Brooks and daughter Virginia ‘Gigi.’ It’s unsurprising then, that Teller still considers Cleveland home even in the middle of two losing seasons. “I was just talking to these guys about deer hunting and fishing and stuff like that,” Teller said. “I don’t want to leave this place. I love this place. But even more than that, I love the city and the fans and everything like that. I know that sounds very cliche, but I truly do. “If anybody knows my family and I, we’re very close in this community. So, no, I don’t want to get traded, but obviously business is in business and I know that if this could help the Cleveland Browns or something like that, I’m not above the team.” But when it concerns Cleveland’s O-line, there’s certainly the possibility of change in the air concerning the unit. Teller, starting center Ethan Pocic, and left guard Joel Bitonio are all in the final years of their deals. Bitonio is likely at the point where he’ll consider retirement each year as he did in the 2025 offseason. Starting right tackle Jack Conklin has two years left, but no more guaranteed money. Spotrac lists 2026 as a potential out year on his contract. Left tackle Dawand Jones has suffered three season-ending injuries in his first three years. He will also be in the final year of his rookie deal in 2026. While there’s uncertainty ahead and only five wins in the last season and a half, Teller remains adamant that he wants to stay in Cleveland and be part of the solution. “I don’t want to leave,” he said. “I don’t want to tuck tail and leave because I feel like a couple years ago (in 2020) we were that close to being in the AFC championship. That’s just mindboggling for any Cleveland Browns fan. Because it’s just been since the ’80s since we’ve done it. We used to do it consistently, so how can we bring that culture back that goes to the playoffs, that has a winning team, that it’s not the same old Cleveland Browns? And I feel like we were right there and then just kind of took a step back.” Teller also remains encouraged by several of the close calls the Browns have had this season. They were two missed kicks away from beating the Bengals in Week 1, and a fluky defensive breakdown over an 80-yard drive caused them to drop their London game against the Vikings. A handful of plays has been the difference between a 2-6 and 4-4 record that would have them right in the thick of the AFC North race. “I’m not blind to the fact that we’re right there,” Teller said. “And again, as bad as the season is viewed or perceived, we’re like two or three plays away from a lot different season. Now that can be said for a lot of teams, but we’re right there. Now how can we be more consistent and win, especially, and that’s what good teams do late.” As for whether the Browns might make a move before the deadline to strengthen their roster, Teller said he’ll trust general manager Andrew Berry. “Whatever AB thinks is best,” Teller said. “That being said, I don’t think the cupboards are bare here. I think we have a pretty damn talented team. I was saying this earlier, people could point at a player here and there, all this different stuff. In the preseason we were going down to teams and whooping their butt. So how can we get back to that?” For now, Teller’s focus remains on being part of that solution — in Cleveland.
