Daily Dawg Chow (7/6): How do these rumors get started?

This is a Cleveland Browns site, but that does not mean we can’t take the occasional small detour when it is called for, and today is one of those days.

The U.S. Men’s team is back in action tonight in a World Cup round-of-16 meeting with Belgium, a rematch of the 2014 game in the knockout round that saw the U.S. lose, 2-1, in extra time.

The biggest news of the day is that Folarin Balogun, who scored twice in the opening game against Paraguay and again against Bosnia in the round-of-32 game, will reportedly play after FIFA delayed the one-game suspension for the red card he was given during the Bosnia game for a year. Balogun was originally slated to miss the game because of an automatic suspension, but that appears to be no more.

It is a huge move and should give the U.S. a nice boost in what should be a manic atmosphere tonight in Seattle.

OK, detour over. Let’s get on with today’s edition of the Daily Dawg Chow.

Dawgs By Nature

• Browns could trade this QB. Unless, of course, they don’t (Thomas Moore) – The rumors never stop swirling around Shedeur Sanders. Which is tiresome, but also not of his doing.
• LeBron might return to the Cavs. Which Browns reunion do you want to see by 2027? (Jared Mueller) – Another LeBron James return to Cleveland has us wondering, would Cleveland Browns fans like Baker, Chubb, Njoku returns?
• Browns 2020 roster: A look back at GM Andrew Berry’s 1st 53-man roster (Jared Mueller) – A look back at Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry’s first 53-man roster, one that won 11 games.

Cleveland Browns

• Evaluating the Browns’ tight ends ahead of the 2026 season (clevelandbrowns.com) – The Browns addressed a need for depth at tight end during the offseason, first signing Jack Stoll, re-signing Blake Whiteheart, and then drafting two rookie tight ends in Joe Royer and Carsen Ryan. They also tendered Brenden Bates, bringing him back for the 2026 season.
• Joe Thomas defends Shedeur Sanders as Cowboys pressure Browns on trade decision (The Sporting News) – Veteran offensive lineman Joe Thomas has come out firmly against moving Shedeur Sanders out of Cleveland, arguing the Browns would be making a reckless decision by shipping him elsewhere before his development runs its course.
• “I Would Never Be Happy”: Shedeur Sanders Rejects Comparing Himself to Anyone Amid Browns QB Battle (Yahoo Sports) – Quarterback competitions often invite endless comparisons. Take Tom Brady and Peyton Manning as an example, a rivalry that spanned about 15 years. However, as Shedeur Sanders finds himself in a QB1 battle against Deshaun Watson, he isn’t buying into the narrative and external expectations for one particular reason: his happiness.

NFL

• Emmitt Smith manifested rushing record long before first SB TD (ESPN) – Emmitt Smith had a way of speaking things into existence. Before he even played a game for the Dallas Cowboys, he told...