Browns Adding Running Back Nyheim Hines On One-Year Deal
Ken Dorsey's offense continues to take shape in Cleveland.
After signing former Saints and Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston on Tuesday, the Browns addressed another need on the offensive side of the ball, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with Bills free agent running back Nyheim Hines.
According to reports the deal is worth up to $3.5 million for the Hines. It will be made official when the new league year opens on Wednesday afternoon.
Hines comes to Cleveland with a unique familiarity to Dorsey's system as the two crossed paths in Buffalo over the last two years. The Bills acquired Hines at the trade deadline in 2022 as he handled multiple responsibilities as a third-down back and returner.
Hines missed the entire 2023 season in Buffalo after sustaining a leg injury in a jet ski accident last summer. He was placed on reserve/non-football injury list on July 25 and after being unable to suit up for the Bills wound up being released last week.
One of the most memorable moments of his short tenure in Buffalo came in the final game of the regular season in 2022. In the aftermath of Damar Hamlin incident where he collapsedon the field against the Bengals, forcing the game to be suspended, Hines opened up Buffalo's season finale with an emotional 96-yard kickoff return. He'd later return another kick 101 yards for a second touchdown.
Prior to coming to Buffalo, Hines made a name for himself with the Colts as a third down weapon behind Marlon Mack in 2018 and 2019. His best season came backing up Jonathan Taylor in 2020, where he compiled 380 yards rushing and three touchdowns on the ground, adding 63 receptions for 482 receiving yards and another four scores through the air.
With Nick Chubb working his way back from a gruesome knee injury, suffered against the Steelers in Week 2 last year, Hines brings a different skill set to the table for Cleveland. At his end of the season press conference, general manager Andrew Berry emphasized that, like Browns fans, he doesn't want Chubb's last memory in a Browns uniform to be getting carted off the field with a season-ending injury.
While Berry has yet to address Chubb's contract situation this offseason – he's due to make $14 million but only $4 million is guaranteed – such a move could be on the horizon in short order for the Browns.
Hines is the latest edition to the Browns 2024 roster over the last two days. Keep up with all of the Browns offseason moves with our Free Agency Tracker.
