Gary Barnidge has been just about the only good thing to come out this infernal Browns season.
On Thursday, Cleveland acted to make sure that good thing doesn't get away.
The team has announced that Barnidge -- a veteran tight end in the midst of a career season -- has signed a contract extension. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported it is a three-year extension worth north of $12 million, according to a source informed of the deal. Barnidge had been scheduled to become a free agent after the season.
"It's a tremendous honor that Cleveland has the faith in me," Barnidge said, via the team site. "I want to be here whenever we turn this thing around. I know we haven't had the season we wanted this year but I'm looking forward to the future and getting everything turned around."
Barnidge has a team-high 60 catches and seven touchdowns, while his 817 receiving yards places him second on the team behind Travis Benjamin. Barnidge took over as the team's primary tight end after Jordan Cameron signed with the Dolphins last March.
Signing a 30-year-old journeyman tight end to multiyear extension won't solve all Cleveland's problems, but letting Barnidge out the door would have been damaging from a talent and perception standpoint.
Now to find out if Johnny Manziel will be the guy throwing to him going forward ...
