The Cleveland Browns have signed wide receiver Brian Hartline, according to Dustin Fox. Adam Schefter reports the deal is for two years and worth $6 million.
Browns, Brian Hartline agree to 2-year deal
Brian Hartline will try to get his career back on track in Cleveland.
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The deal is considerably lower than Hartline’s last contract, but it will give him an opportunity to bounce back from a down season. It’s also a chance to return home, as he was born in Canton, Ohio and played college ball at Ohio State.
Hartline, a fourth-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2009, came into his own in 2012 and 2013 but lost a lot of steam this past year. He has played 16 games in all but one of his six seasons, but despite no significant injuries his production dropped off in 2014 -- he caught just 39 passes for 474 yards and two touchdowns with the Dolphins.
The previous year, he caught 76 passes for 1,016 yards and four touchdowns, and he had 1,083 yards the season before that. On the Dolphins, Mike Wallace, Jarvis Landry and Charles Clay had more receiving yardage than Hartline in 2014. It's worth noting that Miami's offense as a whole was fairly disappointing, especially the passing game. Wallace led the way with 862 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Hartline was essentially a backup in Miami’s offense last season, but he flourished as a starter the previous two years. At 28 years old it’s not surprising that Hartline found a new home, and he should get an opportunity to earn plenty of playing time as a starter.
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