The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that the Cleveland Browns could save $3 million by designating edge rusher Ogbonnia Okoronkwo as a post-June 1 cut this offseason ahead of his age-30 season. The Browns have plenty of important decisions coming and also have to decide on the futures of veteran defensive tackles Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris. Of course, the elephant in the room is dealing with the trade request from All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett. The 29-year-old Okoronkwo's production was down across the board for the Browns in 2024, as the former fifth-rounder of the Los Angeles Rams in 2018 out of Oklahoma had only 23 tackles (15 solo), three sacks, five tackles for loss, six QB hits and a forced fumble in 16 games (five starts) in his second year in Cleveland. The rotational D-lineman is entering the final year of his three-year, $19 million deal.
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo Fully Healthy, Eyeing Double-Digit-Sack Season
Cleveland Browns defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (pectoral) is eyeing at least 10 sacks in 2024 after recording 4.5 sacks and a career-high 12 tackles for loss in 14 games in his first season with the Browns last year before getting hurt. He joined the Browns on a three-year, $22 million maximum-value deal last year. Okoronkwo suffered a torn pectoral but didn't need surgery and said he's "100 percent ready to go." The 29-year-old won a Super Bowl ring with the Los Angeles Rams and has 109 tackles (74 solo), 14 sacks, 26 tackles for loss, 32 QB hits, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 64 games (eight starts) in his five years in the NFL. The Rams took him in the fifth round in 2018 out of Oklahoma. He's been more productive the last two years with the Texans and Browns, combining for 9.5 sacks in 31 games (eight starts).
The Cleveland Browns are signing Houston Texans free-agent pass-rusher Ogbonnia Okoronkwo to a three-year deal with a maximum value of $22 million on Monday with a base value of $19 million, according to sources. He'll receive $12.5 million guaranteed. In his lone season with the Texans in 2022, Okoronkwo had career-highs in tackles (44 combined) and sacks (five) while also adding 32 solo tackles, nine tackles for loss, 11 QB hits and a forced fumble in 17 games (eight starts) in his fourth NFL season. The 27-year-old pass-rusher was originally a fifth-round selection by the Los Angeles Rams in 2018. Okoronkwo should be expected to fill a rotational role in Cleveland alongside All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett.
Ogbo Okoronkwo
• DE
•
Browns
