Offensive tackle Kirk Chambers became the first Cleveland Brown to sign a new
contract on Friday, according to a press release issued by the team.
Chambers, a sixth round pick, eschewed the Browns offer of a five-year deal,
opting instead for a one-year contract with the team. The Browns will hold
exclusive negotiating rights to chambers over the first three years, but does
not have any guaranteed money after the first year.
The one-year deal is a shift for the Browns, who last year demanded five-year
deals for all players down to sixth-round choice Antonio Garay. Offering a
one-year deal for a lower-round draft pick makes sense for the club if the
player is unable to make the roster, and works for the player in that he is able
to pursue free agency after three years, rather than five years.
Chambers was a four-year starter at Stanford, and is older than the average
rookie, having performed a two-year religious mission in Germany. Chambers will
be 25 years old during his rookie season.