The Cincinnati Bengals plan to match the Cleveland Browns’ contract offer to wide receiver Andrew Hawkins, according to a report.
Hawkins, a restricted free agent, was prepared to sign a four-year, $12.2 million from the AFC North rival Browns on Tuesday that included $5.3 million guaranteed before the Bengals decided against letting him go, ESPN reported.
The Bengals had five days to match the offer.
“Andrew is excited about the prospect of becoming a Cleveland Brown,” Hawkins’ agent, Craig Schaffer, told Cleveland.com on Tuesday.
Hawkins was sidelined for the first eight games of last season with an injury. When he returned, Hawkins had 12 receptions for 199 yards in a limited role. The previous season, in 2012, Hawkins caught 51 passes for 533 yards and four touchdowns.
Hawkins’ return will add depth to a Bengals wide receiver corps that includes AJ Green, Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu.