Cleveland Browns trade DT Chris Williams to Chicago Bears for 2025 6th-round draft pick

SEATTLE — The Browns had what they considered to be a surplus of young defensive linemen who weren't going to necessarily make the initial 53-man roster on Tuesday. So general manager Andrew Berry used some of that to add another pick in next April's NFL Draft.

Cleveland sent defensive tackle Chris Williams, along with a 2025 seventh-round pick, to the Chicago Bears on Saturday morning. The Browns will receive back a 2025 sixth-round pick from the Bears that was, according to The Athletic's Adam Jahns, originally owned by the Miami Dolphins.

Williams, 26, had been one of the younger defensive linemen who had really popped during the reps he's received. However, his pathway to playing time with the Browns was blocked by a number of older players, as well as Cleveland's second-round pick last April, Mike Hall Jr.

The third-year pro had recorded two solo tackles and two sacks over the course of 45 snaps in two preseason games. He also forced a fumble.

Williams, who played collegiately at Wagner, has played in 13 career games with the Indianapolis Colts in 2021-22. He had six combined tackles in those games.

On Thursday, the Browns traded kicker Cade York — another roster surplus assuming a healthy Dustin Hopkins — to the Washington Commanders for a conditional seventh-round pick.

The Browns conclude the preseason Saturday night at 10 p.m. at the Seattle Seahawks. The NFL deadline for cutting the roster to its initial 53-man limit is 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns trade DT Chris Williams to Chicago Bears for 2025 6th-round draft pick