Browns Place Tender on Free Agent Starting Safety

Ronnie Hickman, an undrafted free agent turned starter, will remain with the team for now.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The Cleveland Browns have placed a tender on Ronnie Hickman, one of their starting safeties who is set to become a restricted free agent. This means the Browns have the right of first refusal if Hickman agrees to a contract with another team, and they would receive compensation commensurate with the level of tender.

Why it matters

Hickman has emerged as a key part of the Browns' secondary over the past three seasons after joining the team as an undrafted free agent. Retaining him is important for the team's defensive continuity and stability going forward.

The details

Hickman signed with the Browns in 2023 and has appeared in 41 games with 26 starts. He has three career interceptions and finished third on the team with 103 tackles last season. Hickman took over as a full-time starter in 2024 and played in 98.5% of the team's defensive snaps in 2025.

  • Hickman signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
  • Hickman spent the back half of the 2024 season splitting time with Juan Thornhill.
  • The Browns moved on from Thornhill last season and Hickman started all 17 games in 2025.

The players

Ronnie Hickman

A starting safety for the Cleveland Browns who has emerged as a key part of their secondary after joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2023.

Juan Thornhill

A former Browns safety who split time with Hickman in 2024 before the team moved on from him last season.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Retaining Hickman, an undrafted success story, is an important move for the Browns as they look to build continuity and stability in their secondary going forward.