The Cleveland Browns have signed veteran wide receiver and return specialist DeAndre Carter to a one-year contract. The addition is aimed at strengthening both the team’s receiving group and their return game.
Carter, an eight-year NFL veteran, has played for several teams throughout his career, including the Eagles (2018), Texans (2018-2020), Bears (2020, 2024), Commanders (2021), Chargers (2022), and Raiders (2023). Throughout his career, Carter has appeared in 107 games, starting 21 of them as a receiver, although he has primarily been used in the return game. He has averaged 23.5 yards on 133 career kickoff returns, scoring one touchdown, and 9.7 yards on 149 career punt returns. In addition, he has recorded 117 receptions for 1,331 yards and six touchdowns.
In the 2024 season, Carter played 13 games with the Bears, finishing with nine catches for 72 yards. He also contributed significantly to the return game, with 17 punt returns for 158 yards (averaging 9.3 yards per return) and 15 kickoff returns for 479 yards, which was a career-high 31.9 yards per return, ranking him second in the NFL. Unfortunately, Carter suffered a hamstring injury in Week 14, which led to him being placed on injured reserve for the final four games of the season.
Carter’s addition to the Browns comes after a 2024 season in which the team’s return units struggled. The Browns ranked 30th in kickoff return average (24.8 yards) and 11th in punt return average (10.0 yards). Carter’s experience and skills are expected to bring immediate improvement to those areas.
