Browns Come to Terms With Rookie RB Quinshon Judkins After Legal Case Is Resolved

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The Browns have signed rookie running back Quinshon Judkins to a four-year, $11.4 million deal ahead of their Week 1 game against the Bengals Sunday according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
He was the last 2025 draft pick to sign his contract as he faced a legal issue. Three weeks ago, prosecutors declined to charge Judkins after he was arrested in July on charges of touch or strike/battery/domestic violence. The Ohio State product faced a misdemeanor domestic violence and battery charge before the case was declined due to various factors, including "late reporting of the alleged incident to police, no surveillance video and no independent witnesses" according to Fox Sports 640's Andy Slater.
Finally: the Cleveland Browns and their second-round pick Quinshon Judkins reached agreement today on a four-year, $11.4 million deal that now means all 2025 draft picks have deals. pic.twitter.com/M9W7LpK7sH
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 6, 2025
Cleveland selected Judkins in the second round with the No. 36 pick in April's NFL draft after he led the Buckeyes' backfield alongside TreVeyon Henderson last season on their way to a national championship. He scored three touchdowns in the College Football Playoff national championship game against Notre Dame, rushing for two and catching one in Ohio State's 34–23 win over the Fighting Irish. Judkins had seven total touchdowns in the Buckeyes' run through the CFP to the title.
He missed the preseason and is not expected to play in Cleveland's first game against Cincinnati Sunday according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. While Judkins's legal situation is resolved, the matter remains under investigation by the NFL, also according to ESPN.
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Blake Silverman is a writer at Sports Illustrated, primarily covering the NBA and WNBA. Before joining SI in November 2024 as a breaking/trending news writer, he covered the WNBA, NBA, G League and college basketball for numerous sites, including Winsidr, SB Nation and A10Talk. He’s an alum of both Michigan State and St. Bonaventure University, receiving a master’s degree from the Bonnies’ sports journalism program. Outside of work, he’s a husband, father, yogi and fairly mediocre tennis player who’s open to any tips on how to play defense in EA Sports College Football.