8 Football Players who Played for Browns and 49ers
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page, you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players who have played for the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a bit of help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Browns and the 49ers. Here is a good mix of well-known stars and some more “under-the-radar” players.
Trent Dilfer
Trent Dilfer played in the NFL from 1994 to 2007, most well-known as a quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Baltimore Ravens. Dilfer earned a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV after the 2000 season, becoming the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl after being signed as a free agent.
Over his career, he threw for more than 20500 yards, with 113 touchdown passes and 129 interceptions.
Dilfer also played for the Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, and San Francisco 49ers, before transitioning to a broadcasting career with ESPN post-retirement.
Dilfer Key Stats
- Pro Bowl (Buccaneers)
- Super Bowl Winner (Ravens)
Alex Mack
Alex Mack was an NFL center well-recognized for his consistency and technical skills in the league. He started his career in 2009 when the Cleveland Browns selected him in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Mack played there for seven seasons, earning Pro Bowl honors three times.
In 2016, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons and became a vital part of their offensive line that reached Super Bowl LI. Mack secured four additional Pro Bowl selections while with the Falcons.
Mack Key Stats
- Pro Bowl (Browns, Falcons, 49ers)
Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia carved out a notable career in the NFL (and also excelled in the Canadian Football League (CFL)). Starting his professional career in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders, he won the Grey Cup in 1998.
Garcia then moved to the NFL, spending the most significant part of his career with the San Francisco 49ers (1999–2003), where he earned Pro Bowl honors three times.
Known for his scrambling ability and toughness, Garcia passed for 25,537 yards and 161 touchdowns in the NFL. Despite stints with four other NFL teams, he’s most remembered for his time with the 49ers.
*Garcia was the most popular pick in this square for a previous grid (Grid 36)
Garcia Key Stats
- Pro Bowl (49ers, Buccaneers)
- 3000+ Yard Passing Season (49ers)
Braylon Edwards
Braylon Edwards was a first-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, selected by the Cleveland Browns. Known for his speed and leaping ability, the wide receiver out of Michigan had an impressive start to his career, peaking in 2007 (with the Browns) when he made the Pro Bowl after recording 1289 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns.
Despite this, inconsistencies and drops plagued his tenure with the Browns. After four seasons in Cleveland, he had stints with the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks.
Over his career, Edwards amassed over 5500 receiving yards and 40 touchdowns, highlighting his potential, though he may not have fully lived up to his lofty draft position.
Colt McCoy
Colt McCoy is a seasoned NFL quarterback, having made his professional debut in 2010. Playing college football at Texas, McCoy was highly decorated and won numerous awards including the 2008 Walter Camp Award.
He started his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns, later moving to the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Football Team, and New York Giants. As of the end of the 2022 season, he has thrown for over 7900 yards with a completion percentage over 62% and has thrown for 34 touchdowns.
Despite numerous injuries, McCoy’s ability to step into the starting role when needed has proven invaluable for his teams.
Carlos Hyde
Carlos Hyde was drafted in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He played for the 49ers from 2014 to 2017 before joining a series of other teams. Over his career, he played for the Browns, Jaguars, Texans, Seahawks, and Chiefs.
Hyde’s career has been that of a journeyman running back, moving from team to team but generally offering reliable production when given the opportunity. While with the 49ers, he rushed for almost 1,000 yards in the 2016 season.
A few years later with the Houston Texans in 2019, he surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career, finishing the season with 1,070 yards and six touchdowns.
Hyde Key Stats
- 1000+ Yard Rushing Season (Texans)
Brian Hoyer
Brian Hoyer is a veteran quarterback who has primarily been a backup with multiple NFL teams. He entered the league undrafted in 2009 and signed with the New England Patriots, backing up Tom Brady and earning a Super Bowl ring with the team in Super Bowl XLIX.
Hoyer has also started for several teams, including the Cleveland Browns (his lone 3000+ Yard Passing Season was there), Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, and San Francisco 49ers, with career passing stats including over 10,000 yards, 53 touchdowns, and a passer rating in the mid-80s.
Ty Detmer
Ty Detmer was drafted in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. Detmer went on to play for several teams throughout his career, including the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, and the Detroit Lions.
In terms of individual accolades, Detmer won the Heisman Trophy in 1990 while playing for Brigham Young University. Despite his success in college, he was primarily a backup in the NFL, starting only 25 games over his 14-season career.
Detmer had some bright spots during his time with the Eagles, where he started some games and threw for almost 3,000 yards in the 1996 season. However, he was unable to maintain a starting role for an extended period due to injuries and competition.
