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According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the Cleveland Browns should have a deal done this weekend to extend the contract of LB Jamie Collins:
The Browns have made significant progress on an extension with pending free-agent Jamie Collins, sources said. Deal to be done by weekend
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 20, 2017
Shortly after, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal supported the report:
#Browns have been working on a new contract with linebacker Jamie Collins and are getting close to reaching a deal, a source confirmed.
— Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) January 20, 2017
The Browns acquired Collins from the New England Patriots during the regular season for a third- or fourth-round pick, depending on what type of compensatory pick Cleveland is awarded this year. Collins was in the final year of his deal, so Cleveland knew they were risking a short-term rental of Collins wasn’t interested in staying in Cleveland.
Despite the Browns going 1-15 last year, the Browns have the most cap space in the NFL and “money talks.” Some thought that Cleveland would be forced to slap the franchise tag on him as sort of a hostage type of situation, so the news that an extension is close is encouraging to hear. Collins was recently ranked as the No. 3-ranked upcoming free agent in the NFL.
OLB contracts signed last year: Mark Barron 5/45, Bruce Irvin 4/37, Tamba Hali 3/21. I think the Browns give Collins 4/46 w/ 12 guaranteed.
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) January 20, 2017