4 Cleveland Browns free agents likely to leave the team

Cleveland Browns free agent No. 3 to leave: Chris Hubbard

Chris Hubbard may have played his last season in orange and brown. He was injured early on this year and never played and now is a free agent after having signed a five-year deal for $37 million back in 2018 — which was re-worked before the 2020 season. He has been the backup tackle ever since the team had signed Jack Conklin back in 2020. Hubbard’s versatility on the line was a big plus to the team.

However, he will be 31 years old next season and may be seeking a new deal with a different team. There certainly will be a market for his talents on the line. The fact that the Browns have also been using players like offensive lineman Blake Hance in his place will make Hubbard’s likely departure something the team will be able to handle.

Hubbard’s willingness to redo his contract a couple of seasons ago to help the team sign other players during the free agency period made him a popular player for the fans and respected for his hard work and commitment to the team.

Cleveland Browns free agent to leave No. 3: Rashard Higgins

Rashard Higgins has had his high and low moments with the Browns. He came to Cleveland after being drafted by the team in 2016. The former Colorado State Ram wide receiver product has had a somewhat roller-coaster career in Cleveland.

When the Browns drafted their quarterback Baker Mayfield in 2018, Higgins had a good year and he and Mayfield seemed to have a good connection when they were both on the field. Higgins had 572 yards and four touchdowns that season.

Then 2019 happened and it was more like the “disappearing act” of Higgins. Former coach Freddie Kitchens rarely played him. It seemed to be a very odd situation all season long and he ended up with only four receptions for the entire season.

Kitchens got fired and Higgins stayed and after the next coach Kevin Stefanski took over in 2020 it became the “welcome back” show for the receiver. He produced 599 yards receiving on 37 catches. This past summer he re-signed with the Browns on a one-year contract after he had attempted to seek a new team.

What was hopefully going to be a good year again didn’t happen as he struggled to find a role in the offense. It didn’t help either that he only caught 24 passes while targeted 47 times. That’s not a good percentage and has led to speculation that Higgins will be looking elsewhere.

The team has struggled at the wide receiver position and may be looking to bring in some new free agents and draft a player or two at the wide receiver position.