Report: Cleveland Browns working to extend Rashard Higgins

Rashard Higgins could be with the Cleveland Browns long-term

Preliminary discussions regarding a contract extension between the Cleveland Browns and wide receiver Rashard Higgins have already taken place, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson.

Higgins, 26, signed a one-year, $910,000 contract to remain with the Browns this offseason.

Cleveland’s fifth-round selection in 2016 found an immediate, undeniable connection with quarterback Baker Mayfield, and took a budget contract this offseason to play another season with Mayfield.

Last season, Higgins found himself inactive for six games. He was only targeted four times, tallying just 55 yards and one touchdown. His disappearance from the rotation was the biggest mystery of Freddie Kitchens’s bottomless dog house, especially because of that connection he had during Mayfield’s record-breaking rookie season.

The mystery lingered in 2020, when Higgins was inactive for games early in the season, against Washington Football team and the Dallas Cowboys. Since then, the connection with Mayfield has rekindled, and Higgins has found himself to once again be a very valuable asset to the Browns offensively.

Despite appearing as a starter for just three games, Higgins has 25 receptions for 400 yards. He has famously walked the red carpet in the back of the end zone three times this year so far.

While his numbers do not jump off the page, Higgins a valuable piece to this receiving group as a refined route runner, scattering to get open when Mayfield evades pressure. He gambled on himself this offseason, and deserves a more longterm extension to be an instrumental piece moving forward.

Cleveland’s last four regular season games will provide Higgins for even more of an opportunity to take those contract extension talks to the next level.