Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Jamie Collins was a pending free agent after a season that saw the New England Patriots deal him just before Week 9. However, the Browns prevented him from testing the open market, reportedly inking him to a four-year contract.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Monday that the deal is finalized and should be official soon. Rapoport added the deal is worth $50 million with $26 million in guarantees.
Rapoport reported Friday that Collins' deal will likely be worth more annually than that of the current highest-paid linebacker, Luke Kuechly of the Carolina Panthers.
Collins completed his fourth NFL season in surprising fashion after the Pats traded him to Cleveland, but he was still able to produce.
In eight games with the Browns, the 27-year-old recorded 69 total tackles, which ranked second on the team (although he played just half a season in Cleveland), and two sacks.
Collins was coming off one of his finest seasons as a professional in 2015 with the Patriots, as he recorded a career-high 5.5 sacks in just 12 games, earning his first selection to the Pro Bowl.
But with his rookie contract expiring at the end of the 2016 season, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Collins had been asking for "Von Miller money."
Prior to the 2016 season, Miller signed a six-year, $114.5 million deal with the Denver Broncos, per Spotrac.
It could have been a large reason why the Patriots traded him halfway through 2016.
Even though the Browns are coming off a 1-15 season, it's a major win for the franchise to hold on to a top talent.
