Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell finally signed his restricted tender on Wednesday evening. His representatives confirmed it on social media: 

The Browns placed the second round tender on Crowell in late February but up until Wednesday, Crowell seemed to be holding out for a multiyear deal. 

However, he never tried to make the Browns blink by visiting or signing an offer sheet with another team which I think shows that Crowell wants to be in Cleveland long term. 

He’ll now likely report to offseason workouts, which is perfect as the on the field activities are getting ready to begin next week. 

The tender will pay the 24 year old running back $2.74 million for the 2017 season, which is a huge increase from his $600,000 salary from last season. 

Crowell has been with the Browns since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2014. 

• 2014 season: 148 carries for 607 yards (4.1 yards per carry), 8 touchdowns
• 2015 season: 185 carries for 706 yards (3.8 yards per carry), 4 touchdowns
• 2016 season: 198 carries for 952 yards (4.8 yards per carry), 7 touchdowns 

2016 was also a career year for Crowell as a pass catcher, catching a career high 40 passes for 319 yards. A plus for a running back in Hue Jackson’s offense who likes running backs who can catch passes out of the backfield.

Crowell would’ve easily got 1,000 yards last season but with the Browns being 1-15 and being behind in games a lot, they ran away from the run game and threw a lot.

It was also a troubling yet humbling year after he posted a disturbing photo on social media of a police officer getting his throat slit. He later apologized for the incident and spent his off the field time with police officers and donated a game check to police office memorial funds.

He’ll likely be the primary back once again on offense with Duke Johnson, Matthew Dayes, George Atkinson III, and Darius Jackson all behind him on the depth chart. 

If they emphasize the running game more this season and Crowell stats injury free , I don’t see why he can’t get well over 1,000 yards and put himself in position for a nice contract next offseason.