Cleveland Browns: 20 Worst free agents signings in franchise history

By Randy Gurzi | Jun 5, 2021

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBR 24: Andre Rison #80 of the Cleveland Browns in action against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL Football game September 24, 1995 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Rison played for the Browns in 1995. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Andrew Weber/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Browns worst free agents signings No. 4: Dwayne Bowe, Wide Receiver

There was a time when Dwayne Bowe was one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. The former LSU Tiger was picked in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft and quickly became a star for the Kansas City Chiefs.

As a rookie, he had 995 yards and then crossed the 1,000-yard mark the very next year. It was a milestone he hit two other times for K.C. and finished his eight seasons there hauling in 532 receptions for 7,155 yards and 44 touchdowns — including a league-best 15 during 2010.

At 31-years old he was on the market after the Chiefs released him. Bowe found a home with the Browns and was given a two-year deal worth $13 million, $9 million of which was guaranteed. He wound up hardly seeing the field though.

Mike Pettine, the head coach at the time, wasn’t on the same page as general manager Ray Farmer and didn’t want to use Bowe. He ended up getting on the field in seven games and made just five receptions.

It was a far cry from what the Browns thought they were getting and really he never should have been on the team, especially if their coach wasn’t high on his skills.

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