Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge is reportedly expected to get a contract extension, and the deal could get done as soon as Thursday, according to NFL reporter Albert Breer.
Barnidge is having a great season for the Browns and is one of the bright stories for Cleveland in a down year. The Browns are currently in last place in the entire league with a 2-10 record, but they look to hold on to one of their key players in Barnidge. The Browns star tight end is the third leading tight end in the entire NFL in terms of yards with 817 receiving yards on the season, and he only trails behind Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert in touchdowns with seven.
Browns head coach Mike Pettine has announced that quarterback Johnny Manziel will start this weekend against the San Francisco 49ers. It will be interesting to watch Manziel and Barnidge's connection down the stretch of this season, as they could become a potent combination for the Browns in future years.
Barnidge was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2016, and the Browns are reportedly trying to lock him up as their future franchise tight end, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. Prior to this season, Barnidge had never caught over 13 receptions and has more than quadrupled those numbers with 60 receptions this season. Barnidge turned 30 years old this September and looks to have a bright future in Cleveland.
