A proud Cleveland native has returned home. On Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns announced the signing of defensive back Justin Hardee, who had previously spent three years with the New York Jets. Before that, he played four seasons for the New Orleans Saints, who signed him after being discarded by the Houston Texans in 2017.
Hardee became a reliable special teams member in New Orleans before joining the Jets in 2021. He made the Pro Bowl in 2022 as a special teams ace, and that’s what he’ll be doing with the Browns.
Browns continue to emphasis on special teams.
The Browns have prioritized special teams for the past two seasons. They signed Matthew Adams and Michael Ford in 2023, and both played well. Ford left in free agency to sign with the Texans, and was immediately replaced by Tony Brown.
They also signed Nyheim Hines in free agency, who will be their major returner. Hines, who is out for the whole 2023 season due to a jet ski accident, has two punt returns for touchdowns and two kickoff returns for scores in his career.
As if that wasn’t enough, they also brought back Cade York. While he is not expected to kick unless Dustin Hopkins is hurt, the Browns made sure to add depth at that position as well.
They’ve now added Hardee, who Browns fans may remember from Week 17 of last year. Following Cleveland’s playoff victory against the Jets, Hardee visited with Joe Flacco at midfield and implored his former teammate to win it all for his city. Now Hardee can try to do it himself.
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