Cleveland Browns

Browns sign tight end Gary Barnidge to new contract

Published Dec. 10, 2015 2:48 p.m. ET

foxsports

BEREA, Ohio (AP) The Browns have signed breakout tight end Gary Barnidge to a contract extension.

Barnidge has had an unexpected season for Cleveland and been one of the few bright spots for a team riding a seven-game losing streak going into a matchup Sunday with San Francisco. The 30-year-old is the final year of his contract and was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent.

But the Browns have locked him up for the future, a needed positive in an otherwise dismal season.

Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.

Barnidge has a team-leading 60 receptions for 817 yards and seven touchdowns this season. He entered the year with 44 career catches in seven NFL seasons - five with Carolina.

Beyond his on-field production, Barnidge is also active in the community. He was recently named as the team's Walter Payton Man of the Year.

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