COLUMBUS, Ohio – Their NFL careers have brought a couple of former Buckeyes back to their home state.
The Browns have officially signed wide receiver Brian Hartline, a rangy target who can help offset the indefinite loss of Josh Gordon.
The Bengals solidified their linebacker position by reaching agreement on a deal with A.J. Hawk on Tuesday.
Hartline, 28, who played for Ohio State from 2006 through 2008, and the team finalized terms of a two-year, $6 million contract Tuesday, hours before NFL free agency opened.
Hartline had consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2012 and 2013 for Miami. He dropped to 474 yards last season, but the Browns needed quality depth after Gordon, who led the league in yards receiving in 2013, was suspended one year for multiple violations of the substance abuse policy.
Hartline was released by the Dolphins last month.
Hawk, who also grew up in Ohio and attended Ohio State from 2002 to 2005, worked out with the Bengals as free agency opened on Tuesday. Agent Mike McCartney tweeted that they had agreed to a two-year deal. The team didn’t confirm it.
They also offered a one-year deal to defensive tackle Devon Still, whose daughter is fighting cancer. Still will have to decide whether to stay in Cincinnati while his 4-year-old daughter, Leah, is treated on the East Coast.
The Browns have kept their plans in free agency closely guarded. Coach Mike Pettine said the team will adhere to a “right player, right price” policy in negotiations. Pettine said the Browns would like to re-sign cornerback Buster Skrine but a person familiar with the deal says Skrine has agreed to a four-year contract with the New York Jets.