Josh Cribbs will play for the Browns for another three seasons after both sides agreed on a new contract. (Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)

Josh Cribbs and the Browns have agreed to a new three-year contract worth a maximum of $20 million, according to a league source.

Cribbs, a Pro Bowl kick returner, has long sought a new deal, and this contract replaces the three years that remained on his old pact.

The new deal includes $7 million guaranteed and a complex escalator scale to compensate for the many other roles that Cribbs fills (running back, wide receiver, Wildcat quarterback).

There was some acrimony between the sides, and negotiations broke down at times in the last year. Cribbs had been promised a new deal by the Browns’ former regime, and the sides made consistent progress the past few weeks and had the template of a deal in place a few weeks ago. The agreement on the guaranteed money was the last part of the deal to come together.

Cribbs had a previously scheduled news conference set for Friday afternoon, and he now will announce the new deal then, the source said.

UPDATE: Cribbs and Holmgren confirmed the deal during the Friday news conference.

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