Browns agree to 2-year deal with Lakota West product Hicks
The Browns quickly found a replacement for departed linebackers Anthony Walker Jr. and Sione Takitaki on Monday.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks and the Browns agreed to a two-year deal, a league source confirmed for the Beacon Journal. Hicks will be signing a deal worth $8 million.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report the deal.
Hicks, 31, spent the last two seasons playing for the Minnesota Vikings. He is a West Chester native, having attended Lakota West High School before playing collegiately at the University of Texas.
The former third-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft also spent four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and three with the Arizona Cardinals. During Hicks’ time in Philadelphia, his defensive coordinator was Jim Schwartz, who has that role with the Browns now.
The Browns lost one of their veteran leaders on defense earlier Monday when Walker agreed to a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins. Shortly after Hicks agreed to terms with the Browns, they lost another linebacker — Takitaki — to a free-agent deal with the New England Patriots.
Hicks has played in 122 games, with 119 starts, over his first nine seasons in the NFL. He played, and started, 30 games for the Vikings the last two season.
During his two seasons with the Vikings, Hicks had 147 solo tackles and four sacks. He also had two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, including one returned for a touchdown.
For his career, Hicks has 13 interceptions, six forced fumbles and 11 fumble recoveries. He’s also recorded 141/2 sacks.