Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden has agreed to a new contract that will keep him with the team through the 2019 season, the player announced via Twitter. Haden's deal includes a $14 million signing bonus and a total of $45 million guaranteed.
Browns extend Joe Haden through 2019
The Cleveland Browns have given the 25-year-old cornerback a huge contract extension through the 2019 season.
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Haden's deal is worth a total of $68 million, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The guarantees and signing bonus surpass the deal that fellow cornerback Richard Shermana recently signed with the Seattle Seahawks. Haden's deal also gives him an extra year compared to Sherman's recent extension. Along with Sherman, Haden has been one of the top corners in the league in recent seasons, routinely blanketing the best receivers in the league.
Haden has also had issues with suspensions and injuries, which is why, perhaps, he isn’t quite as well-regarded as Sherman. Playing on a losing team hasn’t helped. Whatever the case, the Browns clearly believe that Haden is among the elite defensive backs in the league. Patrick Peterson, also considered one of the NFL’s best corners, is close to a new deal with the Arizona Cardinals that should pay him handsomely, as well.
The Browns doubled down on the cornerback position this offseason, drafting Justin Gilbert out of Oklahoma State in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Cleveland initially traded back to No. 9, then moved up to No. 8 to take Gilbert, who will be expected to become a rookie starter.
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