Entering the 2026 NFL season, the Cleveland Browns lacked Myles Grrett, and were a clear rebuilding team. But through six weeks, they led the AFC North with a 4-2 record and have been a lot better than anticipated.

While Deshaun Watson not playing horribly is a big reason for the team's record, the really impressive unit is the defense. Despite losing Garrett, coming off a 23-sack season, this defense has been very impressive. And one of the key cogs just got paid.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, very late Saturday night, the Browns and defensive tackle Maliek Collins reportedly agreed to a $30 million extension, locking up a key lineman for the next few seasons in Cleveland quietly late at night.

Browns to sign Maliek Collins to $30M contract extension

"Browns and Maliek Collins reached agreement on a 2-year extension worth $30 million, including $23 million in total guarantees, per agent Drew Rosenhaus," Schefter reports.

Cleveland, just because they're still looking for a quarterback and might only be a good QB away from being Super Bowl contenders, doesn't mean they can't sign key veterans to extensions.

Collins might've been a trade deadline candidate this season had things gone wrong for the Browns. But at 4-2, the Browns are instead set to sign him to an extension.

MORE: ESPN analyst believes Browns are a quarterback away from being Super Bowl contenders

This season, Collins has been a game-changer from the defensive tackle spot. He has 3.5 sacks with 16 tackles and five tackles for loss with eight quarterback hits in six games played.

The 31-year-old veteran, formerly playing for the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, and San Francisco 49ers before joining the Browns in 2025, has been a major pass-rushing force in his career.

He had a career year in 2025 with the Browns, posting 6.5 sacks, the most in a season. This year, with 3.5 through six games, he's on track to break his previous record for sacks in a season.

This Browns season has gone very well so far, and the continued dominance from Collins along the defensive line is a huge reason why. Cleveland agreeing to this $30M extension makes a ton of sense and is a smart move for a team seemingly on the cusp of contention.

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