7:32pm: The Browns have officially announced the transaction, according to Jeff Schudel of the News-Herald (Twitter link).
7:06pm: It’s a two-year, $6MM deal for Hartline, tweets Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
6:46pm: The Browns have reached an agreement with receiver Brian Hartline, according to Dustin Fox of the Browns Radio Network (Twitter link). The 28-year-old was released by the Dolphins last month.
Hartline, a former fourth-round pick, spent the first six years of his career in Miami, but had a down season in 2014, catching only 39 passes and two touchdowns. Still, he’s been a solid possession receiver in the past, topping 1,000 yards in both ’12 and ’13, and had drawn interest from numerous clubs. The Chiefs, Patriots, Texans, and Bears were among the other teams who had expressed interest in adding the veteran pass-catcher.
The Browns sorely needed help at receiver, where No. 1 option Josh Gordon is expected to be suspended for the 2015 season, and receiving tight end Jordan Cameron is poised to leave via free agency. For now, Hartline will top a WR depth chart that includes Andrew Hawkins, Taylor Gabriel, and Travis Benjamin.
Hartline didn’t place among PFR’s top 50 free agents, but he was included as an honorable mention.
So…it is about the money, I guess. Why else would a receiver go to a team without a quarterback. Ha!
I am not saying it is a good reason, but he is from there (or at least went to OSU)
Pretty sure he was a former 4th rounder, not a 2nd rounder…
You’re right. I had former Brown/Buckeye Brian Robiskie on the brain. Thanks, it’s been fixed.
Cheers. If I wasn’t a Dolphin fan I wouldn’t have caught it