The Cleveland Browns signed Justin Hardee Sr. on Tuesday. He is known for his work on special teams and has been added to the Browns' free agency pickups.
The Browns officially announced the signing of Hardee on Tuesday through a press release. Hardee, who hails from Cleveland, is a cornerback but has made a name for himself on special teams. In 2022, he was recognized as a Pro Bowler for his outstanding work on special teams. Hardee was a vocal leader for the New York Jets, and the Browns are hoping for a similar impact in Cleveland.
Hardee is starting his eighth NFL season from Illinois. He was initially signed by Houston as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Hardee has played in 100 career games with the New Orleans Saints (2017-20) and Jets (2021-23). He has one career interception and 63 special teams tackles. Last season, he played in 11 games and made five special teams tackles.
Justin Hardee Has Special Connection to Browns
In 2022, Hardee had a memorable moment against the Browns, recovering an onside kick that helped the Jets come back and win 31-30. It was his first game playing in front of his hometown crowd.
“I was smiling like wow. This is where I’m really from, where I grew up. Just wow, I made it through all this, from being from the inner city and just to see where I came from,” Hardee said at the time. “I know how the city is about the Browns to see everyone out there and just being able to play in the game, even if I didn’t make a play, just playing there would be special. Just how everything played out was crazy, this was the first game ever in my life that didn’t feel like an away game.”
Hardee is joining the Browns special teams unit led by Bubba Ventrone, who joined Cleveland last season. He will also help fill the void left by the departure of Mike Ford, who was a fixture on the Browns’ special teams unit last season. Ford signed with the Houston Texans this offseason.
The focus on special teams plays will be heightened this season, particularly with the new kickoff rule. Hardee is prepared to make his presence felt.
“Around this time everybody forget how Special Teams win and lose games until it’s too late! But we gone see,” Hardee posted on X.
Browns Also Signed Nyheim Hines to Beef Up Special Teams
Another interesting signing the Browns made this offseason was Nyheim Hines. The 27-year-old running back should be a weapon returning the ball with the new rules in place. He also wants to contribute on offense but knows he’ll be called on to make some plays in the return game.
“I’ve been hearing the whole return-specialist thing — I’m not that,” Hines said on the Up & Adams show. “I believe I play offense, but returning is something I love to do as well. But I like to do both.”
Hines has returned six kicks for a touchdown in his career—two punts and four kickoffs. His most memorable outing came with the Buffalo Bills in January 2023. He returned a kickoff and a punt in the same game, a feat only 10 other players have done in NFL history.
