Cleveland has agreed to terms with tight end Austin Hooper. Hooper’s deal is for four years and is worth $42 million — making him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL. Hooper also receives $23 million guaranteed over the first two years of the deal.
Just a few hours later, Cleveland bolstered its offense further, agreeing to terms with free-agent tackle Jack Conklin on a three-year, $42 million deal, Rapoport added. Conklin will get $30 million fully guaranteed and $20 million in 2020.
Rounding out Cleveland’s offensive additions for the day, Case Keenum agreed to join the Browns on a three-year, $18 million deal, including $10 million guaranteed
The Browns, as expected, released safety Morgan Burnett, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury last year. Burnett started eight games before the injury. The move underscores the work the Browns will need to do at safety this offseason. Right now, they have Sheldrick Redwine, who was a rookie last year, and really not much else at the position.
The Browns have placed a second-round tender on RB Kareem Hunt. As a restricted free agent, Hunt is free to negotiate with other teams. The Browns, though, have the right to match any offer. If they decline, they’ll get a second-round pick from the team that signs him. Given his past, it will be interesting to see what the market might be for Hunt. But he remains in the plans of what Cleveland wants to do offensively in 2020.