Browns Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. Signs Restricted Tender, Secures 2026 Contract

The Cleveland Browns have finalized their 90-man roster by securing a contract with restricted free agent safety Ronnie Hickman Jr., who has officially signed his tender. Hickman, who joined the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2023, has made a significant impact over his three seasons with the team, starting 26 games, including all 17 during the 2025 season under former defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

With this new agreement, Hickman is now committed to the Browns for at least one more year. The financial specifics of his contract reveal that he will earn $3.52 million in 2026, as he was awarded the right of first refusal tender, which is the lowest tier of restricted free agency offers. After the upcoming season, Hickman will become an unrestricted free agent.

There is potential for the Browns to negotiate a contract extension with Hickman, even after his tender signing. According to Over the Cap, he is valued at just under $10 million annually, suggesting that he could be a candidate for a three-year contract worth over $30 million, akin to the deal Grant Delpit signed in 2023. As the team navigates this contract year for Delpit and the addition of Emmanuel McNeil-Warren from the 2026 NFL Draft, the possibility of a long-term agreement with Hickman remains to be seen.