Cleveland Browns: 15 best free agent acquisitions of all-time
By Randy Gurzi
(2013-16). Gary Barnidge. 10. player. 53. . TE
Not many thought the Browns’ move to sign tight end Gary Barnidge in 2013 would ever amount to much. He was originally a member of the Carolina Panthers, who drafted him out of Louisville in 2008 with the 141st overall selection. After being selected, Barnidge spent four seasons with the Panthers, but managed just 18 career receptions for 320 yards and a touchdown.
There wasn’t a lot of change once he joined Cleveland, as Barnidge was a seldom-used player in the Browns’ offense as well. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end managed just 13 receptions in each of his first two seasons with the Browns, while registering two touchdowns in that span as well. Then in 2015, he completely broke out for them.
Barnidge became one of the best tight ends in the NFL that year as he was credited with 1,043 yards receiving off 79 catches. He also tied Hall-of-Fame tight end Ozzie Newsome with the most touchdown catches by a tight end in a single season in Browns’ history with nine.
That season Barnidge built a great rapport with Josh McCown, who started eight games for Cleveland, but also had to work with Johnny Manziel, as well as Austin Davis in the other eight games.
Having said that, he could have put together an even better season had McCown stayed healthy. Nonetheless, he made the Pro Bowl and was given a three-year extension worth roughly $4 million per season.
He never replicated his success, however, as Barnidge had just 55 receptions and 612 yards in 2016. That was still impressive, given the continued issues at quarterback, as well as an offseason surgery for a sports hernia that preceded that campaign.
Barnidge was released in April 2017, ending his time with the team. He never signed anywhere else, but still goes down as a great free-agent find for the Browns.