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The Cleveland Browns took a step in the right direction, placing a second round tender on restricted free agent safety Ronnie Hickman.
Once Hickman signs the tender, he will be locked into a one-year deal worth $5.8 million on the cap. Hickman is listed as a restricted free agent, as any player who enters free agency with less than four accrued seasons must first give the team they play for the right to place a tender on them and negotiate with them. It is quite likely that Hickman will be back with the Browns in 2026 after receiving the second round tender.
If another team does negotiate with Hickman and opts to sign him, the Browns would then receive a second round pick in return. That makes it unlikely that a team will go through the lengths of spending much time trying to ink a deal with the restricted free agent.
Placing the tender on Hickman, however, is just the beginning between the two sides now. Here is what is next for the Browns and Hickman:
While the Browns placed the tender on Hickman, which would lock him into a one-year deal worth just under $6 million, he has until April 17 to sign it. In that time, he can continue to negotiate with other NFL teams to strengthen his contract negotiations with the Browns for a long-term deal.
However, these cases almost always end with the player signing the tender.
The Browns and Hickman will likely continue more long-term contract negotiations beyond just the 2026 season. If they can negotiate a new deal as well, the Browns would be able to be a bit more flexible with his base salary and the cap number Hickman would incur this season. His valuation on a long-term deal is set at around $10 million per year by Over the Cap.
This means a long-term deal of three years for $30 million could be on the table between the two sides.
In all likelihood, a long-term deal between the two sides will get done as Hickman has starting experience and is entering just the fourth year of his career. The Browns need to keep as many good, young players on board as they can.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns, Ronnie Hickman still have work to do after second round tender
Continue reading...
Once Hickman signs the tender, he will be locked into a one-year deal worth $5.8 million on the cap. Hickman is listed as a restricted free agent, as any player who enters free agency with less than four accrued seasons must first give the team they play for the right to place a tender on them and negotiate with them. It is quite likely that Hickman will be back with the Browns in 2026 after receiving the second round tender.
If another team does negotiate with Hickman and opts to sign him, the Browns would then receive a second round pick in return. That makes it unlikely that a team will go through the lengths of spending much time trying to ink a deal with the restricted free agent.
Placing the tender on Hickman, however, is just the beginning between the two sides now. Here is what is next for the Browns and Hickman:
Deadline for Ronnie Hickman to sign his tender
While the Browns placed the tender on Hickman, which would lock him into a one-year deal worth just under $6 million, he has until April 17 to sign it. In that time, he can continue to negotiate with other NFL teams to strengthen his contract negotiations with the Browns for a long-term deal.
However, these cases almost always end with the player signing the tender.
What's next for the Browns and Hickman
The Browns and Hickman will likely continue more long-term contract negotiations beyond just the 2026 season. If they can negotiate a new deal as well, the Browns would be able to be a bit more flexible with his base salary and the cap number Hickman would incur this season. His valuation on a long-term deal is set at around $10 million per year by Over the Cap.
This means a long-term deal of three years for $30 million could be on the table between the two sides.
In all likelihood, a long-term deal between the two sides will get done as Hickman has starting experience and is entering just the fourth year of his career. The Browns need to keep as many good, young players on board as they can.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns, Ronnie Hickman still have work to do after second round tender
Continue reading...
