Browns Will Try To Sign LB Jamie Collins To An Extension, Targeting Over $12M Per Year

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Browns will attempt to sign newly acquired LB Jamie Collins to a long-term extension in the coming months.

However, it’s Rapoport’s understanding that Collins is looking for a contract that would pay him than Luke Kuechly’s six-year, $64.105 million contract. According to Rapoport, Collins is targeting over $12 million per year because he views himself as more of a hybrid player than a traditional inside linebacker.

The Patriots reportedly offered Collins around $11 million per year at one point but the two sides ultimately couldn’t come to an agreement and New England elected to pull the trigger on a deal that would net them a 2017 third-round compensatory pick or a 2018 fourth-round selection.

Collins is an obvious candidate for the franchise tag if they can’t work out a long-term deal before the start of free agency next year. Although, this would cost the Browns around $15 million for the 2017 season.

Collins, 27, is a former second-round pick of the Patriots back in 2013. He’s currently in the final year of his four-year, $3.761 million contract and set to make a base salary of $917,865 for the 2016 season.

In 2016, Collins has appeared in seven games for the Patriots and recorded 43 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, a forced fumble and three pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 9 linebacker out of 87 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding a potential extension for Collins as the news is available.