by Jordan Black, Senior Sports Writer | FreeWire — Your News, Your Voice.
Another week, another whirlwind in the world of Ohio sports. From walk-offs and contract standoffs to off-field surprises (yes, we see you, Hailee), here’s what you missed while trying to remember where you left your AC remote.
⚾ Guardians Get Grounded in the Bronx
Cleveland came into the week with serious momentum, riding a win streak and sitting pretty near the top of the AL Central. They polished off the Angels with back-to-back wins over the weekend, thanks to clutch bullpen work and consistent hitting. But the minute they stepped into Yankee Stadium? The bats went quiet.
Two straight losses in New York—both by a 3–2 score—showed this team still has trouble against top-tier opponents. The good news? José Ramírez is still José Ramírez, and the pitching staff continues to hold its own.
🏀 Cavs Ready to Deal?
The NBA rumor mill is spinning fast, and Cleveland is right in the middle of it. Word is, the front office is open to shaking up the backcourt—and all signs point to Darius Garland being the likely trade chip. There’s buzz around a possible swap involving Orlando’s Jalen Suggs, though any real deal will take some salary cap gymnastics.
Bottom line: after a second-round exit, standing still isn’t the plan.
🏈 Browns: Can Flacco Turn Back Time?
OTAs continued this week in Cleveland, and there’s still no clear favorite at quarterback. Joe Flacco, 40, is back with the Browns and says he’s not just there to mentor—he wants the job. But he’s got competition. Rookie Shedeur Sanders continues to impress, though with a stacked QB room, nothing is guaranteed for the fifth-round pick.
The coaching staff is playing it close to the vest, but one thing’s clear: this is going to be one of the most interesting Browns QB battles in years.
🏈 Bengals: Burrow Goes Hollywood, Hendrickson Goes Quiet
While Browns QBs duke it out, Joe Burrow is filming interviews for season two of Netflix’s “Quarterback.” The spotlight fits—cool, calculated, and confident, Burrow looks fully recovered and ready to lead.
On the other side of the ball, the Bengals have a problem brewing: Trey Hendrickson, who led the league in sacks last year, is skipping team activities in hopes of a new contract. No deal yet, and if things drag on into training camp, Cincinnati’s pass rush could feel it.
🏈 Buckeyes: Big Hype, Bigger Paydays
The Buckeyes locked in kickoff times for four games this season—including the much-hyped opener against Texas, which stays a noon Saturday kickoff despite some behind-the-scenes nudging for primetime.
In recruiting and future-star buzz, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith continues to be the name on everyone’s lips. Some analysts are already projecting him to be one of the highest-paid NFL players of the next decade. Big talk, but from what we’re seeing, maybe not too far-fetched.
⛳ Memorial Tournament: Scheffler Goes Back-to-Back
The biggest names in golf rolled into Dublin for the Memorial Tournament—and once again, Scottie Scheffler walked away with the trophy. He becomes the first player since Tiger to win the event in back-to-back years. The payout? A cool $4 million. Not bad for a weekend in Ohio.
💍 And Finally, Because April Wouldn’t Let Us Skip It…
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen married actress Hailee Steinfeld this past Saturday in a ceremony that reportedly had more security than a Super Bowl locker room. FreeWire’s own April Rodgers calls it, quote, “the most important sporting event of the year.”
We won’t argue.
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