Tweet
Winslow, Browns Agree to Deal Possibly Worth $40M
First-round draft choice Kellen Winslow Jr. agreed to terms Tuesday night on a six-year contract with the Cleveland Browns, ending his 12-day holdout, a team source told The Associated Press.
The deal has a base salary of $29 million and could be worth up to $40 million if Winslow reaches all his incentives. It also includes a $16.5 million signing bonus, said the source, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
The Browns and Winslow's agent, Kevin Poston, were reportedly $12 million to $22 million apart during the negotiations, with Poston seeking a contract similar to the six-year, $54.6 million deal that wideout Charles Rogers received last year from Detroit.
But a series of talks that began over the weekend between Poston and Browns president John Collins culminated in a deal Tuesday night.
The Browns initially offered Winslow a $40 million contract. The deal he agreed to is for the same amount but includes a higher signing bonus and base salary.
Winslow is expected to sign the contract on Wednesday at training camp. It's not known when he will start practicing with the team or if he will play in the Browns' preseason opener Saturday night at Tennessee.
The Browns sacrificed a second-round pick, trading with Detroit to move up one spot in April's draft, to select the tight end from Miami with the sixth selection.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Winslow is the son of Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow Sr. and calls himself "The Chosen One." His father says that at this point, his son is even better than he was.
The Browns have not had tight end with Winslow's combination of size, speed and athleticism since Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome in the 1980s.
Winslow began his holdout on July 30 when Poston rejected the Browns' initial offer - a six-year, $40 million deal that matched what Washington gave safety Sean Taylor, the No. 5 selection.
In his first proposal to the Browns, Poston, who also represents Rogers, sought a signing bonus of roughly $15 million for Winslow, said a league source, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Rogers, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2003 draft, received $14.4 million in guaranteed money from the Lions a year ago.
Poston is a renowned tough negotiator who along with his brother, Carl, represents other prominent NFL clients currently in contract holdouts.
Last week, Browns quarterback Jeff Garcia implored Winslow to get to camp, saying, "You are going to get your riches no matter what, but you need to think about the team."
Winslow has a reputation as a fiery competitor, which has caused him problems in the past.
In his final season with the Hurricanes, he made headlines for a postgame tirade following a loss to Tennessee in which he called himself a soldier and compared the game to being at war. He later apologized.
Source: AP
The deal has a base salary of $29 million and could be worth up to $40 million if Winslow reaches all his incentives. It also includes a $16.5 million signing bonus, said the source, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
The Browns and Winslow's agent, Kevin Poston, were reportedly $12 million to $22 million apart during the negotiations, with Poston seeking a contract similar to the six-year, $54.6 million deal that wideout Charles Rogers received last year from Detroit.
But a series of talks that began over the weekend between Poston and Browns president John Collins culminated in a deal Tuesday night.
The Browns initially offered Winslow a $40 million contract. The deal he agreed to is for the same amount but includes a higher signing bonus and base salary.
Winslow is expected to sign the contract on Wednesday at training camp. It's not known when he will start practicing with the team or if he will play in the Browns' preseason opener Saturday night at Tennessee.
The Browns sacrificed a second-round pick, trading with Detroit to move up one spot in April's draft, to select the tight end from Miami with the sixth selection.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Winslow is the son of Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow Sr. and calls himself "The Chosen One." His father says that at this point, his son is even better than he was.
The Browns have not had tight end with Winslow's combination of size, speed and athleticism since Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome in the 1980s.
Winslow began his holdout on July 30 when Poston rejected the Browns' initial offer - a six-year, $40 million deal that matched what Washington gave safety Sean Taylor, the No. 5 selection.
In his first proposal to the Browns, Poston, who also represents Rogers, sought a signing bonus of roughly $15 million for Winslow, said a league source, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Rogers, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2003 draft, received $14.4 million in guaranteed money from the Lions a year ago.
Poston is a renowned tough negotiator who along with his brother, Carl, represents other prominent NFL clients currently in contract holdouts.
Last week, Browns quarterback Jeff Garcia implored Winslow to get to camp, saying, "You are going to get your riches no matter what, but you need to think about the team."
Winslow has a reputation as a fiery competitor, which has caused him problems in the past.
In his final season with the Hurricanes, he made headlines for a postgame tirade following a loss to Tennessee in which he called himself a soldier and compared the game to being at war. He later apologized.
Source: AP
Comment