Benton Whitley runs a timed drill throughout a professional day exercise on the Luth Heart indoor soccer facility in Worcester. NFL scouts evaluated prospects from Holy Cross and several other native universities as gamers tried to enhance their draft inventory. On March 22, 2022, Whitley showcased his athleticism in entrance {of professional} evaluators forward of the NFL Draft. Necessary Credit score: Christine Peterson-USA TODAY Community.
The Cleveland Browns wanted extra EDGE depth with coaching camp about seven weeks away, and so they simply so occurred to tab a former Minnesota Viking: Benton Whitley.
Minnesota employed Whitley in 2022 and 2023, and he’ll attempt on his seventh workforce in 5 years for dimension this summer time. He’ll intention to make the 53-man roster or maybe the observe squad.
Cleveland Provides Acquainted NFC North Depth earlier than Camp
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Benton Whitley participates in coaching camp actions, working to strengthen his case for a roster spot earlier than the common season. On Aug. 2, 2025, Whitley took half within the Cardinals’ Pink and White observe at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, persevering with his preparation for the upcoming marketing campaign. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Pictures.
Whitley to CLE
The ex-Vikings will probably be at Browns coaching camp, as NBC Sports activities‘ Charean Williams wrote Thursday, “The Browns signed free agent defensive end Benton Whitley, the team announced on Thursday. Whitley is officially in his third NFL season out of Holy Cross. In 2025, he spent time on the Buccaneers’ practice squad but did not play a regular-season game.”
“The Rams originally signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2022, and he spent time on their practice squad as a rookie. He also has had stints with the Chiefs, Vikings and Giants.”
It’s an analogous setup to Whitley’s time in Minnesota, latching on as a bottom-of-the-roster defender and hoping for a daily season invitation.
Profession Resume
Whitley’s resume is sort of fully primarily based on potential. He has performed a complete of six video games for the Giants and Vikings, with 16 snaps on protection and 74 on particular groups. It signifies he’s primarily a particular groups participant, centered on securing a roster spot or, if Cleveland retains him, a practice-squad place.
In 2023, he moved amongst Tennessee, Minnesota, and New York, however recorded just one defensive snap with the Vikings. Throughout his 5 video games with the Giants, he performed 15 defensive snaps, attaining one cross defensed, one pressured fumble, and one security.
Whereas there are some uncommon statistics in his restricted enjoying time, the pattern dimension is extraordinarily small. Whitley will not be competing for a beginning position; he’s merely aiming to make it via coaching camp.
Right here’s his profession vacation spot resume so far:
Los Angeles Rams (2022)
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (2022)
Minnesota Vikings (2022–2023)
New York Giants (2023–2024)
Arizona Cardinals (2024)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2025)
Cleveland Browns (2026–now)
Vikings Tenure
The Vikings signed Whitley from the Chiefs’ observe squad in 2022. For the subsequent 13 months, he moved on and off Minnesota’s energetic roster and observe squad. In November 2023, the Giants signed him off the Vikings’ observe squad.
New York Giants linebacker Benton Whitley battles on the level of assault throughout preseason motion, trying to shed a block and pursue the play. On Aug. 8, 2024, Whitley confronted Detroit Lions offensive sort out Giovanni Manu within the second half of an exhibition matchup at MetLife Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Throughout his time in Minnesota, Whitley primarily performed on particular groups and was on the backside of the surface linebacker depth chart. Now with Cleveland, he’ll compete this summer time for a spot on the 53-man roster, hoping for a extra vital position than he had with both the Vikings or Giants.
Browns’ LB Corps
Right here’s the EDGE pecking order in for the Browns early June after the seismic Myles Garrett commerce:
Jared Verse
Alex Wright
Julian Okwara
Isaiah McGuire
Tyreak Sapp
Logan Fano
Khordae Syndor
Benton Whitley
NFL.com’s Grant Gordon on the Browns’s new-look protection: “Replacing Myles Garrett, swiftly becoming an all-time pass-rushing great, is a task the Cleveland Browns are unlikely to accomplish. Still, maintaining the team’s defensive prowess in the seasons to come could be in the realm of reality as the Browns’ roster boasts a historical first when it comes to its youthful talent. Obtained in the Garrett trade with the Los Angeles Rams was Jared Verse, the 2024 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.”
“He’ll join Cleveland linebacker Carson Schwesinger, the 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year, making the Browns the first team to roster defensive rookies of the year from each of the last two seasons since the AP began awarding DROTY in 1967. The closest such scenario came in 1980, when the Atlanta Falcons celebrated linebackers Al Richardson and Buddy Curry sharing the AP DROTY honor.”
Cleveland Browns normal supervisor Andrew Berry observes observe throughout rookie minicamp, evaluating younger expertise because the group begins constructing towards the common season. On Might 9, 2025, Berry watched on in Berea whereas the Browns carried out offseason exercises and launched their latest gamers to this system. Necessary Credit score: Jeff Lange-Imagn Pictures.
DAZN‘s Jason Abbey ranked the Browns as the NFL’s fifth-worst workforce final week, noting, “The Tytus Howard and Elgton Jenkins signings were a strong start, but Zion Johnson has a lot to prove. And that’s step one. Jared Verse is a fine edge rusher, but he’d have to play out of his skin to avoid there being a dropoff with Myles Garrett going the other way.”
“Carson Schwesinger should go from strength to strength, and the new wideouts will help whoever starts at quarterback, but the Browns remain a year away from realistically competing.”
Whitley turned 27 in February. He’ll need to outperform McGuire and Sapp at coaching camp and within the preseason to stay round for the common season — or hope for the aforementioned observe squad spot.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
