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Report: Browns decline 5th-year option on Barkevious Mingo

Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

The Cleveland Browns declined to exercise the fifth-year option on linebacker Barkevious Mingo's contract, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Cleveland selected Mingo with the sixth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, but after a promising rookie season in which he racked up five sacks, his production and playing time has fallen off a cliff.

The 25-year-old started 11 games in 2014, registering 42 total tackles and two sacks, but started just two games in 2015 and failed to pick up a single sack.

The option would have paid Mingo just under $12 million in 2017.

With a new regime in Cleveland, Mingo will likely be given a final chance to prove himself in 2016. If not, he'll be headed into free agency next offseason.

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