The Cleveland Browns continue to slowly make moves as we move toward the NFL draft. According to Wednesday’s transaction wire from the NFL, offensive lineman Blake Hance has signed his exclusive rights free agent tender to return to the team.
While this is mostly a formality, Hance is in a unique situation. Signed off the street before being introduced to QB Baker Mayfield in the huddle of the team’s first playoff game in 2020, the famous “Some guy named Blake” moment, Hance played in all 17 games in 2021 including eight starts.
Hance was with the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019 but didn’t step foot on the field of an NFL game until the Browns were desperate against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild card round of the 2020 season.
While regarded as an interior lineman, Hance stepped in for Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin at tackle in 2021. While his play was far from top-notch, he only had two penalties called against him and improved as the season went on.
With Chris Hubbard returning and Conklin expected to be healthy, Hance is a part of a very deep offensive line group. With the addition of Ethan Pocic and Drew Forbes returning from injury, it will be interesting which players remain on the team’s 53-man roster to start the year.