In a recent NFL move, the Cleveland Browns signed wide receiver Bub Means to their practice squad. This acquisition follows a separate roster adjustment by the New Orleans Saints, who had previously added Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman to their own practice squad. In a twist, Means had originally joined the Saints before moving to Cleveland, creating a notable, if unofficial, swap dynamic between the two teams.
Details of the move were confirmed by the Browns, who also announced corresponding practice squad changes in conjunction with Means’s arrival. The Saints had released Means from their own practice squad earlier, ushering him into the Browns’ ranks.
What to Know About Bub Means
– Means, 25, has a varied college background, having played at Tennessee, Louisiana Tech, and Pittsburgh.
– He entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick by the Saints in the 2024 draft and appeared in seven games as a rookie, recording nine receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown.
– An injury in November 2024 sidelined him for the remainder of his rookie season, and another stint on injured reserve in August 2025 kept him out for the 2025 season.
– After spending the preseason with the Saints, Means did not make the Saints’ 53-man roster and became eligible to sign with another team.
– He remains a young depth option at wide receiver, bringing experience from his rookie year with the Saints.
Team context
– The Saints currently roster established receivers such as Chris Olave, DeVaughn Vele, Bryce Lance, and Barion Brown, with Jordyn Tyson out injured and Mason Tipton on the physically unable to perform list.
– The Browns, meanwhile, have a mix of young talent at the position, including rookies like Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion, and view Means as a future-oriented addition to their depth chart.
Name clarification
– Bub Means’s given name is Jerrod Means. The nickname “Bub” originated in his childhood and stuck as he progressed through his football career.
Summary
This move underscores the ongoing efforts by both teams to manage their practice squad depth while preserving flexibility for the regular-season roster. Means brings a background of NFL experience, proven by his rookie-season production, though recent injuries have limited his playing time. The exchange also highlights how teams often maneuver players through practice squads to optimize roster construction ahead of Week 1 and beyond.
