It didn’t take long for former Cleveland Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey to find a new home.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport Kirksey has agreed to a 2-year $16 million dollar deal with the Green Bay Packers.
Free agent LB Christian Kirksey has agreed to terms on a 2 year, $16 million dollar deal with the Green Bay Packers per his agency @SPORTSTARSNYC
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
Kirksey will be joining his former Browns head coach Mike Pettine, who is the Packers defensive coordinator.
In addition to the Packers, Kirksey also had visits with the Las Vegas Raiders and Buffalo Bills.
Kirksey spent his entire 6-year career with the Browns.
Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reported the Browns failed to restructure Kirksey’s contract.
Kirksey, 27, was due to make $8.75 million in 2020 and $9.25 million in 2021.
“FOREVER GRATEFUL! Thank you Cleveland for the amazing years!” Kirksey tweeted on Tuesday morning. “Thank you to the entire organization, my teammates, the Haslems for giving me an opportunity of a lifetime and most of all thank you to the city of Cleveland for accepting me as their own! Forever Love, Kirkoland Out!”
FOREVER GRATEFUL! Thank you Cleveland for the amazing years! Thank you to the entire organization, my teammates, the Haslems for giving me an opportunity of a lifetime and most of all thank you to the city of Cleveland for accepting me as their own! Forever Love, Kirkoland Out! pic.twitter.com/vjcA4nMSZL
— Christian Kirksey (@Kirko58) March 10, 2020
Kirksey appeared in 73 games for the Browns and made 54 starts.
He was also the team’s captain from 2017-2019.
In Kirksey’s first 4 seasons, he didn’t miss a game.
A hamstring injury limited him to seven games in 2018, and a torn pectoral muscle in 2019 ended his season after Week 2.
Kirksey compiled 484 tackles, 11.5 sacks, two interceptions, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in his Browns’ career.
From 2016-2017, Kirksey’s 281 tackles were the second-most of any NFL player.
The Browns drafted Kirksey out of Iowa in the third round with the 71st overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Kirksey was the Browns’ 2016 PFWA Dino Lucarelli Good Guy award winner and the team’s 2018 Walter Payton Man of the Year.
Kirksey created the Kirkoland Foundation with the purpose to aid and encourage individuals to be them, be proud, be their own rock star.
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