Former Lions free agent bust Jesse James headed back to AFC North

Jesse James was a big free agent bust for the Detroit Lions, and now he’s on his way back to the AFC North.

Former Lions tight end Jesse James is headed for his third team in as many seasons. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, he has signed a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns as Week 1 approaches.

On a list of mistakes made by former Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn, the four-year, $22.6 million deal given to James is pretty prominent among them. He had never reached 45 catches or 425 yards in a season, and he wouldn’t get close to those marks during his tenure in Detroit.

The Lions also drafted T.J. Hockenson eighth overall in the 2019 draft, naturally reducing James’ role. Not that having a bigger role would have likely made a dramatic difference in James’ production.

James played two seasons for the Lions. He totaled 30 receptions for 271 yards and two touchdowns over 32 combined games, so it’s not that he missed time. He was an easy cut for Detroit in 2021 when a new regime came in.

James spent the 2021 season with the Chicago Bears, with seven catches for 62 yards and a touchdown over 14 games.

Lions free agent bust Jesse James headed back to AFC North

Prior to signing with the Lions, James was drafted by and spent four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His best seasons, 2016 (39 catches for 338 yards, three touchdowns) and 2017 (43 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns) and 2018 (30 catches for 423 yards and two touchdowns) came in a Steelers’ uniform.

In Cleveland, James is lined up to be the No. 3 tight end behind David Njoku and Harrison Bryant. The Browns use multiple tight ends a lot (44 percent of their plays in 2021, according to Sharp Football), so James may actually see a decent amount of offensive snaps for a third tight end.