Roger Goodell Eyes Cleveland as Future NFL Draft Location as Browns Break Ground on New Stadium

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell revealed that Cleveland is viewed as a potential future destination for the draft.

"The draft was here in 2020 under really difficult circumstances," Goodell said Thursday. "I guess it was '21, technically. As we were battling through COVID and trying to get out of it, it was not the event that we expected. But this community came together, met those challenges and we pulled the draft off here. But it wasn't, I think, the impact that was necessary so Jimmy and I have talked a lot, I've talked about it with other committees. We look forward to coming back here with the draft here soon, for sure. I think it's important."

The Browns held a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday for their new stadium, which will be enclosed.

According to Rich Exner of Cleveland.com, excavation work for the project started on March 2 and construction on the stadium itself is expected to begin later this spring or summer.

The new stadium is slated to be ready for the start of the 2029 season.

The 2026 NFL draft was held in Pittsburgh while Washington, D.C. has been confirmed as the host of the 2027 draft.

As for the 2028 draft, the location is still unknown despite Minnesota submitting a bid to host the event.

Cleveland could also be a contender following Goodell's latest comments.