Bengals will not match offer for WR Andrew Hawkins per Ian Rapoport

Dec 29, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (16) runs after making a catch during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. Bengals defeated the Ravens 34-17. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport the Cincinnati Bengals will not match the offer sheet offer to wide receiver Andrew Hawkins by the Cleveland Browns. Hawkins, a restricted free agent, agreed to the four-year offer sheet with the Browns’ at the start of free agency. The deal is reportedly worth $13.6 million, with $10.8 coming in the first two years of the four-year deal. The Bengals’ have until midnight tonight (Mar 18th) to make a decision on whether to match the Browns’ offer, but the heavily front loaded deal was difficult to match.

Hawkins’ at just 5’7″ and 180 pounds, caught 86 passes for 995 yards and four touchdowns in three seasons with the Bengals’. Hawkins’ quickness makes him ideal for the Browns’ as their primary slot receiver. The Browns’ are still in need of No. 2 receiver, but it looks as though they will address the need in the draft. The Browns’ have been addressing both sides of the football in free agency, and with the addition of free agent running back Ben Tate, the Browns’ are out to improve on an anemic offense. The Browns’ are still in need of No. 2 receiver and there are still several free agents wide receivers available like Kenny Britt or even a veteran Miles Austin, but the upcoming draft class of wide receiver is stacked with talent and the Browns’ may hold off until then.