The Cleveland Browns continued their bolstering of the offensive tackle position on Tuesday as they have reportedly come to terms with free agent Chris Hubbard.
Per Ian Rappoport of the NFL Network, Hubbard will sign a five-year, $37.5 million dollar contract when NFL free agency begins on Wednesday. Rappoport reports $18 million dollars of the deal will be guaranteed.
Hubbard joins Donald Stevenson as another free agent acquisition at offensive tackle for the Browns as the team looks to shore up the right side, while preparing for a potential future without future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas on the left. Thomas has yet to announce whether he will be returning to the Browns or retiring. The NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala reports that Thomas is expected to inform the Browns of his decision by Wednesday.
The 26-year-old Hubbard comes to the Browns after spending his entire career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After making his NFL debut in 2014, Hubbard finally started his first game in 2016, filling in for injured right tackle Marcus Gilbert. Hubbard started four starts in all that season, then started in 10 games in 2017 while lining up at multiple positions on Pittsburgh's offensive line. He will be reunited in Cleveland with offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who was the Steelers' offensive coordinator during Hubbard's time in Pittsburgh.
