Browns part ways with veteran WR Hawkins

The Browns terminated the contract of wide receiver Andrew Hawkins in a move that leaves that position without an experienced leader. Hawkins caught 33 passes for 413 yards in 2016.

“The support you’ve given my family and I the last three seasons will not soon be forgotten.”

— Andrew Hawkins

The Browns terminated the contract of wide receiver Andrew Hawkins on Feb. 27 in a move that leaves that position without an experienced leader.

Hawkins, who turns 31 on March 10, caught 33 passes for 413 yards and three touchdowns in 2016. He caught 63 passes in 2014, his first year with the Browns following three seasons in Cincinnati. He missed eight games in 2015 because of two concussions and caught only 27 passes.

“It’s tough to say goodbye to men like Hawk, that have done everything you’ve asked of them and gone above and beyond when it comes to leadership,” Coach Hue Jackson said in a statement. “Hawk was a rock for us last season. He kept our locker room together and led by example as he gave everything he had on the field. Our young players are going to be better players and better people because of the time they spent with Andrew Hawkins.”

The Browns were 1-15 last year. Jackson can be seen in a video in the locker room victory celebration after beating the Chargers, 20-17, on Dec. 24 with his arm around Hawkins.

Hawkins was with the Browns as a tryout player in their 2008 rookie minicamp. He was not signed and spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons with Montreal in the CFL. He played with the Bengals from 2011 to 2013 before signing with the Browns in 2014.

“I’m so grateful for my time in Cleveland,” Hawkins said in a statement. “I will never forget my first tryout as a Brown back in 2008, praying for the opportunity to wear the Orange and Brown on Sundays. Thank you to Jimmy and Dee Haslam, who have been both incredible owners and role models throughout my time here and I’m forever grateful for the opportunity they granted me.

“Thank you to (Executive Vice President of Football Operations) Sashi Brown and Hue Jackson, who have supported me both on and off the field and will continue to be mentors to me for years to come. Thank you to my incredible teammates for allowing me the opportunity to be one of your captains. It was an honor to battle with you, week in and week out. And lastly, thank you Cleveland Browns fans. You are one of the best fan bases in the world, and the support you’ve given my family and I the last three seasons will not soon be forgotten.”

Hawkins was scheduled to make $1.8 million in 2017.