Former Baltimore Raven joins divisional rival or $40m.
The Cleveland Browns have continued their reinforcement in the AFC North after they signed defensive end Paul Kruger to a $40m deal over five years, as reported on ESPN.com.
The Super Bowl champion will help anchor the defensive line in Cleveland as they continue to add key parts to a young team, as they again attempt to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
The signing is a big coup for the Cleveland front office, as taking the best pass rusher away from your divisional rival for no cost is a great move, and one that can definitely play into their hands twice a year when they play Baltimore.
While the team are still a few pieces away from being classed a genuine contender for a deep playoff run, signing Kruger to a defence that may be the most underrated in the league will enable them to compete in more games this season.
Far too often in the past, the Browns have got off to a bad start and the offence has not been good enough to win games by themselves – something that the front office must address next if they want to make an impact as early as next season.
The Browns also made a splash in landing defensive tackle Desmond Bryant from Oakland for $35m. He will add a further piece to the puzzle on defence, as Bryant will pair up with Phil Taylor on interior defensive line to create havoc for opposing offensive line units.
While Miami have made the most noise during free agency, it may be the Browns who signed the best players for their needs.
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