Cleveland Browns HC Kevin Stefanski gives promising update that fans will love about Isaiah Bond ahead of opener against Bengals

The Cleveland Browns made a surprise addition to their roster late in training camp — one that few saw coming. While it was known the Browns needed more depth in the wide receiver room, this particular move came out of left field.

Cleveland hosted former Texas Longhorns wideout Isaiah Bond for a top-30 visit during the draft process and recently signed him as an undrafted free agent. Bond went undrafted after criminal charges against him clouded his status, though those charges were ultimately dropped.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked Monday about where Bond stands, and he gave a promising update on the potential steal.

“(He) caught up mentally, no issues. Very intelligent kid,” Stefanski said. “(He) is working a lot of extra hours and time with Coach (Chad) O’Shea and Coach (Stephen) Bravo-Brown to get caught up. But he’s very intelligent, so he’s up to speed.”

Bond was once projected as a Day 2 draft pick thanks to his speed and playmaking ability at Texas, but the legal situation caused teams to pass on him. Once he became available, the Browns signed him to a three-year deal. In 2024, Bond recorded 540 receiving yards and five touchdowns with Texas after beginning his college career at Alabama.

Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman are projected to the top two wideouts for the Browns and second-year player Jamari Thrash could be that third guy. Bond has a chance to battle with Gage Larvadain as a fourth wideout for Cleveland.

It sounds as though Bond has already made significant progress, and he could be in line to contribute for the Browns in their Week 1 opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.