BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns on Tuesday announced that DB Joe Haden signed a five-year contract extension. General Manager Ray Farmer made the announcement.
"This is a great day for both Joe Haden and the Cleveland Browns," General Manager Ray Farmer said. "Joe's a good, young player who's made a commitment to our organization, and he's somebody with whom we want to move forward in order to advance our football team. He's a great person. He's the right guy to both build with and build around as we attempt to become an elite football team. He's a true professional. When we talk about identifying talent, building through the draft, developing solid players and retaining them, Joe Haden's at the top of the list. I'm excited. Our team is excited."
"It's important for us," said Head Coach Mike Pettine, "to extend our core players and continue to grow with guys that represent everything we want this team to be: Tough, hard-working and passionate. Joe obviously loves his teammates, and he loves this city. I know he wants to keep growing and improving as a player. That's what we need, and that's what we want. These are the types of players we want to build around, that will help us grow and win consistently."
Haden a 5-11, 195-pound veteran in his fifth NFL season out of Florida, is now signed through the 2019 season. Since joining the Browns as a first-round (seventh overall) pick in 2010, he has appeared in 57 games with 48 starts. Haden has logged 263 tackles, 13 interceptions, 68 passes defensed, three forced fumbles, two sacks and one fumble recovery.
Last season, Haden was selected to his first Pro Bowl in addition to being named second team All-Pro by the Associated Press. He was also named to the All-AFC team by the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). Haden finished second on the team with four interceptions, while adding 60 tackles and 21 passes defensed, according to coach's film. He registered his first career multiple-interception game (2) and his first defensive score following a 29-yard interception return at Cincinnati on Nov. 17.
According to STATS LLC, his 20 passes defensed in 2013 tied for third in the NFL and his 67 since joining the Browns in 2010 draft are second in the league during that span. Haden averages 1.19 passes defensed per game, the second-highest average among NFL players with 50-plus PBUs since at least 1994.
