Cleveland Browns Sign LB Chris Gocong to Three-Year Extension

The Cleveland Browns have signed another core player to a contract extension, locking up linebacker Chris Gocong with a three-year deal reportedly worth $16.8 million.

Despite missing a lot of time in training camp with a neck stinger, Gocong has started the Browns’ first three games of the season, and has played well. The 27-year-old was a third-round draft pick in 2003 by the Philadelphia Eagles (when current Browns GM Tom Heckert was vice president of player personnel), and was traded to the Browns last season for linebacker Alex Hall and 2010 fourth- and fifth-round picks. The deal also brought cornerback Sheldon Brown to Cleveland.

The other three core players recently signed to extensions by the Browns are left tackle Joe Thomas, defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin, and tight end Evan Moore. The Browns are still working on signing running back Peyton Hillis to an extension.