The Cleveland Browns have been going through some massive upheaval this offseason, and we aren't even to Valentine's Day yet. However, with the front office in place (we think), the Browns are turning their attention to keeping one of their best players in house, according to Albert Breer.
Joe Haden contract: Browns make extension top priority
Cleveland wants to keep its top corner in town, and is willing to shell out a lot of cash to do it.
Matt Sullivan
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Cornerback Joe Haden has one year left on his rookie deal, and Cleveland is trying to lock him up long-term before he has a chance to hit the open market. Haden is scheduled to make $8.9 million this season, but his cap number is not a big problem for the Browns. Cleveland is projected to have more than $30 million in cap space this offseason.
The Browns might have to spend some cash before convincing Haden that Cleveland is where he can win football games. Throughout his four-year career, the Browns have never sniffed the playoffs and are now on their fourth head coach with the hiring of Mike Pettine.
Haden will likely command somewhere in the $10 million per year range for five or six years, which would be very similar to the contracts of Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr. The only corner making more than $10.6 million per season is Darrelle Revis, who is fetching $16 million.
In 2013, Haden made the All-Pro second team and his first Pro Bowl. He was ranked 18th of all corners in the league by Pro Football Focus, hurt by poor numbers against the run.
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