Report: Browns Sign S Donte Whitner To A Four-year Deal

March 11, 2014

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that former 49ers S Donte Whitner has reached agreement on a four-year, $28 million deal with the Browns.

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Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that free agent S Donte Whitner expects to be a Brown by 4pm est today.

Cabot adds that Whitner is “excited” to return to Cleveland.

Whitner is from Cleveland and the Browns have plenty of cap space to make him a very solid offer that could be tough for the 49ers to match. Indications have been that Whitner is likely to sign elsewhere this offseason.

Moats, 25, previously came up an a potential option for the Browns given that he played with Mike Pettine while in Buffalo last year.

Whitner, 28, totaled 73 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a recovery last year. Pro Football Focus rated him as the No. 6 safety in the league.

We have both players featured in our Top 100 Free Agents list.

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Aditi Kinkhabwala of the NFL Network reports the Browns are “getting close” to reaching agreements with free agents S Donte Whitner and LB Arthur Moats.

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Dustin Fox of Browns Radio Network, citing a source close to 49ers free agent S Donte Whitner, reports that he is “likely” signing with the Browns once free agency is open on Tuesday.

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported earlier in the day that the Browns “are very serious” about signing Whitner.
Cabot adds that Whitner would replace free agent S T.J. Ward
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Bears and Jets are also among potential suitors for Whitner.

Recent reports indicated that the Jets have interest in Whitner among other defensive backs options.