Report: Browns ink Quinshon Judkins to rookie deal ahead of Week 1 following legal battle

Quinshon Judkins is officially a member of the Cleveland Browns. After a legal battle that dominated the summer, the rookie running back has inked his rookie contract with the AFC North franchise, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

“The #Browns are signing second-round RB Quinshon Judkins to his fully guaranteed deal, sources say. All draft picks are now under contract,” Rapoport posted on X. “Judkins legal situation is behind him after no charges were filed, though the NFL is still conducting its investigation.”

The dilemma stemmed from Judkins being arrested on a domestic violence and battery charge in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in July. At the time, the charge was described as “touch or strike/battery/domestic violence,” according to the arrest records per ESPN.

Later in August, it was revealed Judkins would not face any formal charges from the alleged incident in South Florida. Per Andy Slater of Fox Sports 640, prosecutors declined to move forward with the case.

“The decision was based on several factors, including late reporting of the alleged incident to police, no surveillance video, and no independent witnesses,” Slater wrote on X/Twitter. “The State Attorney says there were videos seen during the same timeframe that didn’t show the victim with injuries.”

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According to the arrest report, the alleged incident happened on July 7, but wasn’t reported until July 12. Judkins allegedly showed frustration after reading text messages from his family, leading to him allegedly punching a woman with a closed fist in the chin/lip area while driving a vehicle departing from Fort Lauderdale International Airport. 

When the woman was asked why she waited to report the alleged assault, she said she felt bad due to the recent success and career of the defendant. The woman said that she and Judkins were currently in a romantic relationship after rekindling their relationship in June of this year.

The Browns selected Judkins, a former Ole Miss and Ohio State standout, in the second round of this year’s draft. At Ole Miss in 2022 and 2023, the running back was a two-time First Team All-SEC selection.

He transferred to Ohio State in 2024 and helped the team win the national championship. Last year, Judkins rushed for 1,060 yards and 14 touchdowns.

“I feel like for myself, that was a positive for me,” Judkins said in April of playing in the SEC and the Big Ten, per ClevelandBrowns.com. “Just having to play in the two hardest conferences in college football.

“Playing in two different environments where I feel like the SEC has a different style of play than the Big Ten as well, they’re just too different. But getting the opportunity to play in both of them has helped me excel and further my career and be better as a player.”

— On3’s Brian Jones contributed to this article.