Who’s up for a little in-state restricted free agency intrigue?
Albert Breer of NFL Network reports the Browns are tendering Bengals RFA WR Andrew Hawkins an offer sheet and that Hawkins will sign the offer.
According to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, the offer sheet is for four years.
The Bengals will have seven days to match the offer. The Bengals tendered the 28-year-old Hawkins at the right-of-first-refusal level in restricted free agency, meaning they will not receive any draft pick compensation if the receiver departs.
The 5-foot-7, 180-pound Hawkins has hauled in 86 passes for 995 yards and four TDs in three seasons with Cincinnati. His quickness makes him a challenging player to deal with in space, and the Browns would likely use him as their primary slot receiver.
A University of Toledo product, Hawkins played for the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes and appeared on the reality show “Fourth And Long” before joining the Bengals.
Now, he appears in line for a nice pay bump, whether it’s in Cleveland or Cincinnati.