Justin Hardee Lands Browns Contract; Named to 2022 Pro Bowl with Jets

Featured Columnist IVApril 2, 2024

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 28: Justin Hardee #34 of the New York Jets runs down field during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

The Cleveland Browns are adding an impact player to their special teams ahead of the 2024 season.

The franchise announced Tuesday it is signing Justin Hardee, who previously played for the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets. Hardee is just one season removed from his Pro Bowl campaign with the Jets in 2022.

Cleveland Browns @Browns
Bringing <a href="https://twitter.com/jhardee_19?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jhardee_19</a> back home to Cleveland! 💯<br><br>📰» <a href="https://t.co/JuUlStBH1U">https://t.co/JuUlStBH1U</a> <a href="https://t.co/bfq2t82tqu">pic.twitter.com/bfq2t82tqu</a>

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport first reported Tuesday that the AFC North team was signing the free agent.

While Hardee was a wide receiver during his collegiate career at Illinois, he has just one reception in his NFL career. That catch came in 2018 when he was with the Saints.

Instead, he has been an excellent special teams player at times during a career that dates back to the 2017 campaign.

He posted 14 tackles and one forced fumble during his Pro Bowl season in 2022. He also had 19 tackles, two passes defended and one interception during the 2018 season when he played some defensive back at times for the Saints.

Hardee is 30 years old and figures to remain a productive special teams player for the Browns during the third stop of his career.

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He is from Cleveland and attended Glenville High School, which the Browns highlighted in their announcement of the signing. He was even seen telling then-Cleveland quarterback Joe Flacco to "win a chip for my city" after facing each other in a game:

NFL Films @NFLFilms
Jets players lined up postgame to show <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeFlacco?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeFlacco</a> some love 🫂<a href="https://twitter.com/Browns?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Browns</a> <a href="https://t.co/ywX4Qs6yex">pic.twitter.com/ywX4Qs6yex</a>

Special teams seems to be a focus for the Browns, as Cory Kinnan of USA Today's Browns Wire noted they also signed core special teamer Tony Brown this offseason.

Cleveland is looking to build on last season's 11-6 record and playoff appearance.