Cleveland Browns wideout Joe Royer, 24, is facing online backlash after fans say they uncovered posts linking him to Rilee Stepp, 18, the daughter of his former Cincinnati Bearcats tight ends coach Josh Stepp. The speculation centers on graduation-day photos f
For a Cleveland Browns star, the timing of a social media trail is proving as uncomfortable as any negative headline.
Joe Royer. 24. is now under fire after fans say they have uncovered evidence of an alleged relationship with Rilee Stepp. 18 — the daughter of Royer’s former tight ends coach. Josh Stepp. The conversation accelerated after a social media account on Monday highlighted posts made in recent months that appeared to indicate Royer had been dating Stepp.
One post, shared by coach Stepp, showed Royer alongside Rilee and the rest of the Stepp family at her high school graduation on May 30. That post has since been deleted.
Other posts painted a fuller picture for those monitoring the accounts. An Instagram post from Rilee, which was public before later going private, showed her wearing a “Royer 11” jersey on the sidelines of a Cincinnati Bearcats game last season.
Fans also pointed to a post by coach Stepp on X from November. In that photo, the family was pictured alongside Royer and former Bearcats teammate Patrick Gurd after a game against BYU. Royer stood next to Rilee, who appeared to be wearing a custom-designed top with his “No. 11” across it.
Coach Stepp’s caption on X read: “Hard to put into words what these two mean to me personally, my girls & our TE room! Incredibly thankful for all they’ve done for our TE room & this entire program! Let’s go finish this thing the right way! Love you both!!! #FAMILY @JoeRoyer25 @gurd45”.
Adding to the speculation, internet sleuths also flagged an Instagram post by Royer from the same day in November, shortly after the Bearcats’ final game of the season. Royer shared a picture alongside his family, and in the comments Rilee added a “love heart” emoji that Royer “liked” in response.
Supporters of Royer’s accusers say the question is not only what is shown, but when it began. They started speculating about the start of the relationship because Rilee only turned 18 in September, according to a post by her father.
Royer’s football background is not under discussion here so much as his personal connections. He was selected by the Browns in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL draft. The 24-year-old spent five seasons in college football — recording his early years from 2020 through 2023 at Ohio State before transferring to Cincinnati for two more seasons.
Across his college career, he recorded 83 receptions for 961 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Daily Mail has approached Royer’s agent, the Cleveland Browns and the University of Cincinnati for comment.
Joe Royer Cleveland Browns Rilee Stepp Josh Stepp Cincinnati Bearcats NFL draft 2026 BYU social media backlash
Wait so he’s 24 and she’s 18? That’s like, totally messed up if it started when she was underage.
I didn’t even read it all but the headline already screams gross. People act like Instagram likes are evidence of a whole relationship??
The graduation photo thing got deleted so that should tell you something. Also the “Royer 11” jersey?? Come on, that’s not just random fan merch. If she turned 18 in September and he’s liking stuff in November then… idk seems like he knew her timeline.
This is why I can’t stand internet sleuths. They connect two posts and suddenly it’s a scandal. Like maybe she just supported her friend or something. But yeah also the Browns drafting him in 2026 makes it worse for optics, I guess. Still sounds like people guessing.