Cleveland Browns fans are accustomed to seeing Joe Thomas near his former team. The Hall of Fame offensive tackle bleeds orange and brown and his notoriously upbeat personality is usually on the sidelines at training camp giving pointers and encouragement to offensive linemen.
In 2024, Thomas is MIA, and Browns fans are curious especially after the news broke that he would not be doing his usual color commentary alongside Chris Rose and Aditi Kinkahabwala for the Browns' preseason games.
The short answer is that Thomas is still involved in football but not in the US. He is the offensive line coach for the Munich Ravens in the European League of Football.
Thomas has turned down requests for bigger roles in the Browns organization because he wants to spend time with his family so on the surface, this choice by Thomas to coach in Europe could be a head-scratcher.
However, Thomas's family is with him, and the schedule of European League coaches is a lot less rigorous than NFL coaches. Many of the European players attend school or have jobs so the time available for practice and meetings is limited allowing Thomas plenty of time to enjoy and tour Europe this summer with his wife Annie, and their four children.
The European League of Football's season (including playoffs) will be over before the Browns open the regular season with a Week 1 home game against the Dallas Cowboys so expect to see Thomas back in his old stomping ground this fall.
Joe Thomas Is Not the Only Familiar Face Absent From the Broadcast Booth
Hall of fame tackle Joe Thomas will not be back in the country in time to assume color commentary duties he's held the past two seasons.
According to sources, however, other familiar faces will provide coverage of Cleveland Browns preseason football for the upcoming schedule.
CBS sports reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala will serve as sideline reporter. Additionally, she will appear with WEWS sports anchor Jon Doss in a pregame edition of “Browns Countdown.”
The Schedule
The Cleveland Browns open their preseason schedule on August 10 with a game against the Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The Browns preseason schedule for 2024 is as follows:
- August 10: vs. Green Bay Packers at 4:25 p.m. ET (TV: WEWS (Channel 5); Radio: ESPN 850 AM, 92.3 FM The Fan, 98.5 WNCX)
- August 17: vs. Minnesota Vikings at 4:25 p.m. ET (TV: WEWS (Channel 5); Radio: ESPN 850 AM, 92.3 FM The Fan, 98.5 WNCX)
- August 24: at Seattle Seahawks at 10 p.m. ET (TV: WEWS (Channel 5); Radio: ESPN 850 AM, 92.3 FM The Fan, 98.5 WNCX)
WEWS and the Browns Extend Partnership
The Cleveland Browns have announced a multi-year renewal deal with WEWS (News 5), extending their 10-year relationship and keeping the station as the club’s official flagship TV station. The renewal provides News 5 access to carry Browns preseason games, special team content throughout the year, and Browns shoulder programming.
“We look forward to continuing to collaborate with News 5 and providing Browns fans across the Cleveland market with compelling content, giving them exclusive access to our players, coaches, and the entire organization,” said Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships Erica Muhleman. “News 5 has been an outstanding programming partner, and we are looking forward to continuing to work together with them as our flagship television station this season and beyond.”
“The Browns have been a valued media partner with News 5 since 2015 when we teamed up to produce and air pre-season games and special programming,” said WEWS Vice President and General Manager Steve Weinstein. “This renewed partnership guarantees that Browns fans will continue to have access to exclusive quality programming from our award-winning teams.”
The partnership will bring together healthcare and education initiatives for Northeast Ohio youth. The Browns’ commitment to the community will be a focal point for the new arrangement. In addition to game coverage and special interviews, WEWS will be providing fans with engaging and informative content and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
A New Era for Browns Preseason TV
The Browns’ preseason home for 10 years announced an extension of their deal for an undisclosed number of years, though sources say, it is for five years. The renewal includes the continuation of the rights to produce of unique Browns-related programming.
The deal includes the following programming:
- Browns Countdown: Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
- Browns Tonight: Sundays after the late news.
- Browns Countdown Preseason: one hour before each pre-season game.
- Browns Postgame: airing one hour after each game this season.
A New Coach for the Munich Ravens
Coaching duties will prevent Thomas from returning to the booth this season. Last winter, Thomas accepted a position with the Munich Ravens to coach their offensive line in the European League of Football. The 17-team league, which is currently nearing the end of its season, plays a 14-game schedule with the regular season ending Aug. 24, just before the Browns final preseason game.
It’s possible that the Ravens will be playing beyond that as they currently are clinging to a playoff spot – one of six – with a 5-3 record after a recent 69-30 win over the Milano Seamen.
It appears that the Cleveland Browns, despite missing their beloved Hall of Fame tackle in the broadcast booth this season, are prepared for the upcoming season with a roster of familiar faces that fans can trust to provide a high-quality viewing experience.
