Browns pick up Dwayne Bowe
— -- The Cleveland Browns need receiver help in the worst way and are getting it with the addition of Dwayne Bowe.
The Browns have reached an agreement with Bowe on a two-year deal, according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter. NFL Network first reported the news.
Bowe was released by the Kansas City Chiefs after eight seasons with the team.
Bowe visited Cleveland last week and had a productive meeting with the staff. Bowe has a relationship with general manager Ray Farmer, who previously worked in Kansas City's personnel department.
Bowe and former Miami Dolphins receiver Brian Hartline add veteran experience to the Browns' pass-catching lineup, but the only receiver on the roster with more than two touchdowns last season is Travis Benjamin (three).
Bowe, 30, was released by the Chiefs because of his hefty salary-cap figure and declining production. He failed to live up to the five-year, $56 million contract he signed in 2013. He was scheduled to cost the Chiefs $14 million against their salary cap in 2015. He hasn't caught more than 60 passes or had more than 801 yards in any of the past three seasons. In 2014, he was held without a touchdown for the first time in his career.
Bowe's departure seemed imminent after the Chiefs agreed to contract terms with free-agent wide receiver Jeremy Maclin of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Bowe topped 1,000 yards three times in his first five seasons and missed the mark by 5 yards a fourth time. He led the NFL with 15 touchdown receptions in 2010.
Bowe finished his Chiefs career with 532 receptions for 7,155 yards and 44 touchdowns. He accomplished this despite playing with a collection of quarterbacks who mostly consisted of journeymen and others who never established themselves in the NFL: Damon Huard, Brodie Croyle, Tyler Thigpen, Matt Cassel, Tyler Palko, Kyle Orton, Brady Quinn, Alex Smith and Chase Daniel.
Bowe's best season came in 2011, when he caught 81 passes for 1,159 yards and led the NFL with 15 receiving touchdowns. Since then, his best season totals were 60 catches, 801 yards and five touchdowns, and each of those totals happened in different years.
Bowe was twice suspended by the NFL during his eight seasons with the Chiefs, for four games for a violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs in 2009 and for a game in 2014 for violation of the league's substance-abuse policy.
Bowe's release saved the Chiefs $5 million against their salary cap.
ESPN.com Chiefs reporter Adam Teicher contributed to this report.
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