NFL, American Football Herren, USA Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns Dec 21, 2025 Cleveland, Ohio, USA Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen 17 is sacked by Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Mason Graham 94 and defensive end Myles Garrett 95 during the first half at Huntington Bank Field. Both Cleveland players were credited with a half of sack on the play. Cleveland Huntington Bank Field Ohio USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKenxBlazex 20251221_rtc_bk4_0126
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns Dec 21, 2025 Cleveland, Ohio, USA Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen 17 is sacked by Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Mason Graham 94 and defensive end Myles Garrett 95 during the first half at Huntington Bank Field. Both Cleveland players were credited with a half of sack on the play. Cleveland Huntington Bank Field Ohio USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKenxBlazex 20251221_rtc_bk4_0126
Mar 19, 2026, 3:35 PM CUT
Browns Legend Gives Career Advice to Mason Graham After Rookie Earned NFL honor
Browns legend Joe Thomas sees a path to greatness for rookie Mason Graham. During a recent podcast, the Hall of Famer identified the one specific area Graham must improve to become an elite NFL player.
After discussing star Myles Garrett and new head coach Todd Monken, host Chris Long of the Green Light podcast brought up Graham and asked for Thomas’s insight.
“Um, I thought he had a solid rookie year,” Thomas began. “I think the biggest thing for him is just getting a little bit stronger, more powerful, like in the weight room, putting that muscle on that it just takes time, right? Even when you get to the NFL as a 22-year-old, you have a lot of strength that you can still build, right?”
As a member of the 2007 NFL All-Rookie team, Thomas knows what is talking about. If Graham manages to level up, the Browns could have another reliable defensive star alongside Myles Garrett.
Graham was picked by the Browns in the first round of the 2025 draft. Weighing in at 321.8 pounds and standing 1.93 meters tall, Graham is an absolute force to be reckoned with. The 22-year-old defensive tackle made 49 tackles, and 28 out of those were solo. And he defended four passes.
After all, Graham is one of the few standout rookie performers from the Browns who elevated a team that failed miserably otherwise. Graham earned a place on the 2025 All-Pro Rookie team alongside Carson Schwesinger.
The defensive unit led by Garrett was ranked 1st in overall defense and even outperformed the Super Bowl Champions, the Seattle Seahawks.
And Mason Graham Was Leading the Defense From the Frontlines.
Garrett was close to setting his sack record but had a few dud, uneventful matches. And when the 30-year-old managed to make half a sack in Week 15, he shared it with Graham. A major feat that stunned everyone.
“He had seven TFLs and half a sack, and his half sack was uh when he split with Miles," Long recalled.
Graham proved he has the drive to power an elite defensive unit like the Browns, and as per Thomas, can become one of the best who have ever played.
And so for him, I think if he's able to really commit himself in the weight room. He's so quick, and he's got such great hand movement, and he has great technique. He can become one of those greats,” he added.
Do you agree with Thomas? Tell us in the comments!
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Written by
Akanksha Biradar
Edited by
Siddharth Shirwadkar