Browns offer sheet to Hawkins worth $12.2 million over four years

The Cincinnati Bengals have seven days to match a four-year offer sheet that Andrew Hawkins signed with the Cleveland Browns. If the Bengals decide to match the deal, then Cincinnati will be on the hook on a four-year deal worth $12.2 million with over $4 million guaranteed, according to Albert Breer with the NFL Network.

Andrew Hawkins' offer sheet with the Browns is worth $12.2M over 4 years, with escalators that could take it to $14.9M. Over $4M guaranteed.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 11, 2014

It seems clear that the Bengals were comfortable allowing Hawkins to leave when they tendered the three-year receiver with the lowest tender. If Cincinnati declines to match, receiving nothing in terms of draft pick compensation, then we can speculate that wide receivers Mohamed Sanu, Dane Sanzenbacher and Ryan Whalen (yes, Whalen) will compete to become the team's primary slot receiver.

Sanu played mostly from the slot last season, running 241 of his 463 routes from that position and posting 24 receptions for 219 yards receiving with a touchdown. Marvin Jones posted 10 receptions on 13 routes from the slot, generating five touchdowns. Not bad.

While Hawkins was excitable, the Bengals appeared comfortable enough to let him go.