The Cleveland Browns have terminated the contract of TE Gary Barnidge.
"We'd like to thank Gary for all he has done for the Browns and the Cleveland community in his four seasons with our organization," said Executive Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown. "He has been a fine representative of our team, and we wish him the best going forward."
Barnidge, who started all 16 games in 2016, finished second on the team with 55 catches for 612 yards and two touchdowns last season, becoming only the third Browns tight end to register multiple 50-catch seasons.
Since joining the Browns as an unrestricted free agent in 2013, Barnidge played in 61 games with 31 starts at tight end and collected 160 receptions for 1,938 yards with 13 touchdowns. In 2015, he tied Pro Football Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome for the most touchdown receptions by a Browns tight end in a season with nine while amassing career highs with 1,043 receiving yards on 79 catches en route to his first Pro Bowl selection. Barnidge was also named the team's Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2015 for his on-field production and his dedication to the community.
Originally selected in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft by Carolina, the Louisville product has recorded 178 catches for 2,258 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 123 career games.
