The Cleveland Browns are reportedly pushing hard for free-agent wide receiver Julian Edelman, with a former New England Patriots teammate leading the charge.
Edelman, who entered free agency Tuesday, is being “courted aggressively” by the Browns, CSNNE.com’s Mike Giardi reported Thursday. Giardi also wrote that former Patriots backup quarterback Brian Hoyer has been involved in the recruiting process, a report that has been confirmed by Cleveland.com and Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
Hoyer and Edelman know each other well, having both entered the NFL in 2009. They spent three seasons together in New England.
Last season was a breakout year for Edelman, who set career highs for catches (105), receiving yards (1,056) and touchdowns (six). The Browns’ interest in him will depend on the outcome of their pursuit of Andrew Hawkins, however, who reportedly signed an offer sheet Thursday.
Hoyer’s 2013 season came to an unfortunate end when he tore his ACL just one week after turning in the best performance of his career in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns released quarterbacks Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell on Wednesday, leaving Hoyer and Alex Tanney as the only QBs left on the roster.
