NFL star Joe Haden has reportedly agreed to sign a one-day contract in order to retire with the Cleveland Browns, just hours before his former side Pittsburgh Steelers face them in the week three opener.
The 33-year-old cornerback has called time on his NFL career after 12 seasons, but has decided to do so with the Browns rather than at the Steelers. The decision was made by Haden on Wednesday, less than 24 hours before the two sides meet at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Haden was picked up by the Browns back in 2010 as a first-round draft pick, but was then released in 2017 after it was reported that the CB would not be willing to reduce his salary. Haden then was signed by the Steelers, but decided on Wednesday to finish things in Cleveland where it all began - with ESPN's Adam Schefter first reporting the plan..
Haden enjoyed a successful NFL career which saw him win three pro bowls, the most recent success coming in 2019. Haden made 66 starts for the Steelers and recorded 10 interceptions during his time in Pittsburgh, but a foot injury kept him out of the side for a lengthy period last season.
In his entire NFL career, Haden made 148 starts and registered 615 tackles, 29 interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. Haden was highly sought after back in 2010 and was a worthy first-round pick, and the Browns signed him to a five-year £44million contract.
In 2014, the Browns gave Haden a revised five-year deal that would see him earn £60m, but they would later attempt to trade him on multiple occasions. These were of course unsuccessful, and after Haden reportedly refused to take a wage cut, he was released in 2017.
The Browns were said to have asked Haden to reduce his £9.75m salary to £6m, which was unsurprisingly knocked back by the CB. But Haden agreed to sign a three-year £23.75m deal with the Steelers just hours after his release, with a signing bonus of £5m added on.
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In 2019, Haden signed a two-year contract extension worth £19.5m which has since expired, but it seems as though his heart has always been with the Browns. And now the two teams he represented will go head-to-head in the week three opener on Thursday night.
Both teams have began the NFL season with a 1-1 record, and are in a similar situation as they look to adjust to life without their trusty quarterbacks. The Steelers said goodbye to the legendary Ben Roethlisberger at the end of last season, and the Browns were left in a tough spot after Baker Mayfield left to join the Carolina Panthers.
Mayfield was traded to the Panthers for a 2024 conditional fifth-round draft pick, and Jacoby Brissett has been brought in on a one-year deal as Deshaun Watson serves an 11-game suspension. Both the Browns and the Steelers are far from where they want to be at this moment in time, which makes Thursday's meeting even more intriguing.
While the Steelers and the Browns are struggling in the passing department, their rushing game remains a major factor. Nick Chubb scored three touchdowns last week, while Najee Harris is eagerly awaiting his first rushing points this season.
