Cleveland Browns cut WR Andrew Hawkins

Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Andrew Hawkins became a free agent when he was cut Monday by the Cleveland Browns.

The 30-year-old was set to make $1.8 million in the final season of a four-year deal. Hawkins managed just 324 yards and three touchdowns on 33 receptions last season.

"I'm so grateful for my time in Cleveland, I will never forget my first tryout as a Brown back in 2008, praying for the opportunity to wear the Orange and Brown on Sundays," Hawkins said in a release. "Thank you to Jimmy and Dee Haslam, who have been both incredible owners and role models throughout my time here and I'm forever grateful for the opportunity they granted me. Thank you to Sashi Brown and Hue Jackson, who have supported me both on and off the field and will continue to be mentors to me for years to come."

"Thank you to my incredible teammates for allowing me the opportunity to be one of your captains, it was an honor to battle with you, week in and week out. And lastly, thank you Cleveland Browns fans, you are one of the best fanbases in all of the world, and the support you've given my family and I the last three seasons will not soon be forgotten. Your support and your passion is what drives this city and I can't wait to one day celebrate a Cleveland Browns Championship with all of you. No matter where I play next, I will always be part of the Browns family."

After three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Hawkins caught on with the Browns. In his first season, he turned 112 targets into 824 yards and two touchdowns on 63 receptions.

"Andrew Hawkins was a great asset to the organization in his three seasons with our team," Browns executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown said in a release. "He was an outstanding example to our young players both on and off the field."

"The well-intended work he did in the Cleveland community was greatly appreciated and the respect he earned throughout our league for never being afraid to responsibly create an educated dialogue around a societal issue is commendable. I'm not sure where Andrew's next stop will be but his history shows that whatever he sets his mind to accomplish, success is sure to follow."

Hawkins' yards per reception have slipped every year since 2013. He has nine touchdowns in 74 career contests.