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Christian Kirksey signs contract extension with Browns

By David Austin Bumpus

Dec 11, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Bengals won 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Bengals won 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Linebacker Christian Kirksey signed a four-year extension to his rookie deal with the Browns, worth $38 million.

After a successful season in 2016, Christian Kirksey is getting some serious money from the Cleveland Browns.

The linebacker signed a four-year, $38 million contract extension with the Browns on Tuesday, as he was entering the final year of his rookie contract from the 2014 NFL Draft. Kirksey is a third-round pick out of Iowa, and will get $20 million guaranteed on his new deal.

In a press release regarding the extension, Kirksey expressed his gratitude for the deal, and for the Browns organization.

"“I am glad to be here and to be a Brown for a long time,” Kirksey said. “This is my home. This is where I want to be. I love my teammates and we are ready to get this thing rolling. I am excited for the future.”"

Kirksey was a full-time starter for the first time in his career last season, and was a star on defense for the Browns. He led the team with a career-high 148 tackles, and finished third in the league in total tackles, along with 2.5 sacks and a team-high 92 solo tackles.

The Browns have been loading up their defense recently and spending some big money on deals, as they signed fellow linebacker Jamie Collins to a four-year, $50 million contract in January, with $26 million of it guaranteed.

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In addition to those two deals, on the other side of the ball, the Browns gave left guard Joel Bitonio a five-year, $51,164,777 extension in March. They traded for Brock Osweiler from the Houston Texans, and are looking to make a name for themselves in a tough AFC North.

Kirksey’s signing surely shows the team’s dedication to a strong defensive presence, and is another step in their attempt to keep some of their best, young stars around as they rebuild.

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