Both player Rashard Higgins and defender Christian Kirksey have officially decided to hang up their boots, but they will do so as members of the team that drafted them . Both players will sign one-day contracts with the Browns, the team announced Tuesday. Higgins spent his first six years in Cleveland, serving as a complementary receiver along the way. His best campaign came in 2020, when he had 37 catches for 599 yards and four touchdowns. His average of 16.2 yards per catch has proven his ability as a vertical threat, but in 2022, the signs point to the departure of the natural player.Indeed, the former Fifth Division signed the Panthers to a one-year deal this offseason. However, Higgins, 29, only appeared in three matches that year. He was out of the league this past campaign and rather than seek a return, he will finish his NFL career with career earnings of about $8.3 million.
Kirksey signed with the Bills ahead of the 2023 season, aiming to join a contender. His time in Buffalo was short-lived, however, and in September he informed the team of his intention to retire. The decision was not made official during the campaign, as evidenced by today’s news, but the former third round player did not appear with any team last season.Au Trong 6 In his year with the Browns, Kirksey started 54 games and 73 games. He surpassed 100 tackles twice during that span (2016 and 2017), and again in his 2022 performance with the Texans. In Cleveland and Houston, the Iowa product earned his Team nominations for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
Kirksey remains a full-time starter time during his lone season with the Packers in 2020, as well as his two campaigns as a Texan. The 31-year-old has spent most of his career rebuilding the team, and he was released midway through his most lucrative contract (a four-year, $38 million extension that the Browns signed in 2017). Yet he still appeared in an NFC championship game against Green Bay and amassed just over $39 million in his career.
“We’re excited that Rashard and Christian wants to come back and retire as the Cleveland Browns,” the team said. bed. “Both players clearly made an impact on the field, but each also left a lasting impression in the Cleveland community. It is a testament to who they are as individuals and we are honored to see them retire as part of our Browns family.