Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

Browns Extend Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

AUGUST 16: This contract’s base value checks in at $37.5MM, per OverTheCap. At $12.5MM per year, Owusu-Koramoah becomes the NFL’s sixth-highest-paid off-ball linebacker. Of the $25MM guaranteed, $20MM is locked in at signing, with the Browns stretching full guarantees into 2026. The team guaranteed its top linebacker $6MM for 2026.

Cleveland used four void years to keep Owusu-Koramoah’s cap hits low. None of the ILB’s cap figures are higher than $8.5MM on this deal, though as of now the team would take on more than $17MM in dead money if the player is not extended again before the 2028 league year.

AUGUST 14: Already carrying big-ticket contracts at the other four positions on defense, the Browns will reward their top linebacker. Looming as an extension candidate for a bit now, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is no longer in a contract year.

The Browns came to terms with the fourth-year linebacker on a three-year deal worth up to $39MM, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. Owusu-Koramoah secured $25MM guaranteed on this deal, one that makes him one of the league’s highest-paid off-ball LBs.

Cleveland has Myles Garrett, Dalvin Tomlinson, Denzel Ward and Grant Delpit on lucrative second contracts, with the team also finding room to re-sign Za’Darius Smith this offseason. Linebacker had housed lower-end contracts on this payroll, but after the Browns led the NFL in pass defense in Jim Schwartz‘s first season as DC, they are rewarding a three-down linebacker. The former second-round pick is now signed through the 2027 season.

Owusu-Koramoah, 24, appeared on Cleveland’s extension radar this offseason. The Notre Dame alum has emerged as the team’s central presence on its defensive second level, as various other pieces have come and gone around him in recent years.

While the “up to” phrase is notable here, Owusu-Koramoah receiving $25MM guaranteed places him fifth among off-ball LBs — behind only Roquan Smith, Tremaine Edmunds, Fred Warner and Matt Milano. The Browns have now surpassed the Eagles with 13 $10MM-per-year players (h/t Grand Central Sports Management’s Brad Spielberger), moving into the NFL lead.

Named a Pro Bowler as an alternate last season, Owusu-Koramoah played a lead role in the Browns’ defense igniting under Schwartz. Despite operating primarily as a non-rush linebacker (though, he is an effective blitzer), Owusu-Koramoah registered 20 tackles for loss. Not only did that pace all traditional linebackers by five, the total ranked fourth across the NFL. The speedy defender totaled 101 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble in a breakthrough third season. Pro Football Focus slotted Owusu-Koramoah 18th among ILBs in 2023.

This is not the best period to excel as a traditional linebacker, as the market has cooled a bit. Perennial Pro Bowler C.J. Mosley and Jaguars tackling machine Foye Oluokun took pay cuts (in exchange for increased guarantees) this offseason, leaving only six players earning more than $11MM at this position. Owusu-Koramoah becoming No. 7 would reflect the Browns’ belief he can thrive in this scheme for years.

More impressively, last year’s emergence came after a 2022 Lisfranc injury. The Browns saw promising work from JOK over his first two seasons, as injuries piled up at the position, with four forced fumbles coming from 2021-22. Losing Sione Takitaki in free agency, the Browns are aiming to pair their LB centerpiece with veteran Jordan Hicks. Wednesday morning’s agreement firmly places Owusu-Koramoah as a pillar alongside the above-referenced D-linemen and DBs in a suddenly strong defense.

Extension Candidate: Browns LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

Thanks in part to injuries, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah didn’t necessarily live up to his second-round billing through his first two seasons in the NFL. However, the linebacker stepped up in a big way during the 2023 campaign, and that performance could earn him an extension with the Browns in the coming months.

As Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com notes, “JOK” has emerged as an extension candidate for the organization. The reporter believes the Browns front office would prefer to lock up Owusu-Koramoah as soon as possible, either before the regular season or part way through the campaign. That way, the organization can assure the impending free agent is clear of any distractions in the follow-up to his breakout season.

After being selected with the 52nd pick in the 2021 draft, Owusu-Koramoah proceeded to earn All-Rookie team honors after finishing with 76 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles. He missed a chunk of that season with an ankle injury, but Pro Football Focus still graded him as a top-10 player at his position. The linebacker took a slight step back during his sophomore campaign. He missed six more games thanks to a foot injury, and he finished the year ranked only 38th at his position.

Fortunately for the player and the organization, Owusu-Koramoah took a significant leap this past season. The 24-year-old finished the campaign with 101 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions, earning him his first career Pro Bowl nod. Pro Football Focus ranked him 18th among 82 qualifying linebackers, including the second-best pass-rushing score at his position.

There’s a chance Owusu-Koramoah could solidify himself as a definitive top-10 linebacker with a strong performance in 2024. That would come at the perfect time for the fourth-year player, as he’s set to hit free agency following the season. JOK doesn’t have the track record to match the $18MM average annual value mark that’s been surpassed by Roquan Smith, Fred Warner, and Tremaine Edmunds, but he could still be in line for a lucrative pay day.

Patrick Queen leaped into the top-five AAV at the position this offseason following a strong year in Baltimore. The former first-round pick got a three-year, $41MM deal from the Steelers, good for a $13.6MM AAV. The LB franchise tag for 2025 is projected to be north of $25MM, so Owusu-Koramoah does have some leverage if the Browns truly intend to keep him long-term. The linebacker is set to earn around $2MM on the final year of his rookie contract in 2024.

The Browns also haven’t done a whole lot to add depth at the weakside linebacker spot, with former UDFAs Mohamoud Diabate and Charlie Thomas serving as JOK’s primary backups. Anthony Walker and Sione Takitaki both departed this offseason, meaning the Browns will be even more reliant on Owusu-Koramoah’s experience in the linebackers room next year.

For what it’s worth, Owusu-Koramoah said he’s not overly focused on his contract status, noting that “there’s a time and place for everything” (per Zac Jackson of The Athletic). More notably, the linebacker declared that he’s “all about ball,” which is surely the type of mentality the front office is seeking from the hopeful defensive stalwart.

Browns LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Suffered Lisfranc Injury In 2022

The Browns dealt with several losses at the linebacker spot in 2022, including a season-ending foot injury suffered by Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. The former second-rounder recently provided further details on the ailment and his recovery.

Owusu-Koramoah revealed that his foot sprain, suffered in December, was a Lisfranc injury. That put an end to his second campaign in the NFL, and began a lengthy road to recovery. Surgery was on the table, but the 23-year-old (who is an advocate of natural healing) elected to avoid the procedure.

Surgery was obviously presented as an option,” Owusu-Koramoah said, via Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com“I wanted to more so naturally, kind of heal my foot. I just thought, personally, it was a personal decision. It wasn’t like I saw anything better on this side or not better on that side. It was more so just a personal preference.”

The Notre Dame alum was back on the field in time for minicamp last month, and he added upon arrival at training camp that his foot “feels good.” That will be a welcomed development for team and player, after Owusu-Koramoah failed to take the statistical step forward many expected in 2022. He totaled 70 tackles, four pass deflections and a pair of forced fumbles, but struggled in coverage and surrendered five touchdowns as the nearest defender. His PFF grade dropped to 65.5, a notable decline from the 76.5 he earned as a rookie.

A return to full health would allow him to resume his full-time starting duties, as the Browns look to avoid the injury troubles which decimated the second level of their defense last year. Owusu-Koramoah, Anthony Walker Jr.Jacob Phillips and Sione Takitaki all saw time on injured reserve in 2022. Each member of that quartet is still in place, though, so Cleveland will have the ability to run it back at the position this year. Owusu-Koramoah will have a central role in the unit’s success, and a full recovery from the serious injury which ended his season could pave the way for a strong third year performance.

Browns Place LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah On IR

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah‘s season has effectively come to an end. The Browns announced that they have placed the linebacker on injured reserve.

Owusu-Koramoah suffered a foot injury during Cleveland’s loss to Cincinnati on Sunday. With only four games remaining and JOK eyeing at least a four-game absence, his 2022 campaign has come to end.

The former second-round pick started 10 of his 11 appearances this season, collecting 70 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles. This came after a rookie campaign that saw him compile 76 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles en route to PFWA All-Rookie Team honors. Pro Football Focus ranked Owusu-Koramoah 39th among 82 qualifying linebackers this season, but he ranked top-10 at the position in 2021.

As Anthony Poisal of the team’s website points out, Owusu-Koramoah is the Browns fourth linebacker to land on injured reserve after Anthony Walker Jr. (quad), Jacob Phillips (pectoral), and Sione Takitaki (knee). That leaves Tony Fields II, Jordan Kunaszyk, and Reggie Ragland as the team’s lone LBs on the active roster, meaning at least one of practice squad linebackers Jermaine Carter, Tae Davis, Sam Kamara, and/or Storey Jackson will likely earn a promotion.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/13/21

Here are Saturday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

  • Activated from PUP list: DT Trysten Hill
  • Promoted: K Lirim Hajrullahu

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/10/21

Here are Wednesday’s minor moves, with the list being updated throughout the day:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals 

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

  • Signed: K Lirim Hajrullahu

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Browns’ Kareem Hunt To Miss Time

The Browns are pretty banged up. Running back Kareem Hunt‘s calf injury is “pretty significant,” according to head coach Kevin Stefanski (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Meanwhile, linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is also dealing with a calf strain. Both injuries generally require 4-6 weeks of recovery, leaving Cleveland short-handed on both sides of the ball.

Both players are likely to be placed on injured reserve, allowing the Browns to restock their roster. Per league rules, they can return in as little as three weeks, but it sounds like they’ll be shelved until late November or early December.

The Browns were already hurting in the backfield, thanks to Nick Chubb‘s calf injury. They’re down to just two RBs now — D’Ernest Johnson and sixth-round rookie Demetric Felton.

Hunt saw a much larger role in 2020, his second Browns season. He totaled 1,145 yards from scrimmage and eleven scores, plus three touchdowns in two playoff games. Hunt remains under contract through the 2022 season while Chubb is signed through 2024 thanks to his three-year, $36.6MM extension.

Through six games, Chubb has 361 rushing yards off of 69 carries, good for an average of 5.2 yards per tote. He’s also registered 20 grabs for 161 yards — roughly half of last year’s receiving totals.

Browns Sign Round 2 LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

The Browns stopped Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah‘s draft-weekend slide, selecting him in the second round. More than a month later, the linebacker prospect signed his four-year rookie deal.

A reported heart issue is believed to have contributed to Osuwu-Koramoah’s fall to No. 52, but concerns appear to have been overblown. The former Notre Dame standout has been medically cleared and will be expected to play a major role on a retooled Cleveland defense to start his career.

Last season’s Butkus Award winner, Osusu-Koramoah entered the draft as Scouts Inc.’s No. 12 overall prospect. He came in ahead of No. 12 overall pick Micah Parsons here, but it took a second-round trade from the Browns — when they moved up seven spots — before the 221-pound defender heard his name called in Cleveland.

In addition to racking up 142 tackles between his junior and senior seasons, Owusu-Koramoah was a frequent presence in Fighting Irish opponents’ backfields. He totaled 24.5 tackles for loss in his final two seasons in South Bend. With Owusu-Koramoah signed, only two 2021 Browns draftees — first-rounder Greg Newsome and third-rounder Anthony Schwartz — have yet to ink their rookie contracts.

The Browns had previously invested significantly at the off-ball linebacker spots, giving Jamie Collins and Christian Kirksey top-market money while current GM Andrew Berry was on staff. Neither deal worked out, and the team passed on a big-ticket Joe Schobert extension. Cleveland has rebooted at linebacker and continued to retool this offseason, signing former Colts starter Anthony Walker before drafting Owusu-Koramoah. Those two may well become the team’s three-down ‘backers this season.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Fell To Second Round Due To Heart Issue?

One of the bigger surprises of last week’s draft was that Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah fell to the second round. Owusu-Koramoah, the ACC’s Defensive Player of the Year, a unanimous All-American, and winner of the Butkus Award for the nation’s top linebacker, was widely considered a first-round talent, but he had to wait until the Browns traded up to the No. 52 overall selection to hear his name called.

And now we have some clarity on that front. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, Owusu-Koramoah had a heart issue that came to light late in the predraft process, which was a concern for most teams (Twitter link). Though the 6-1, 221-lb ‘backer was medically cleared, the issue contributed to his draft-day slide.

But a league source tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com that there is nothing wrong with Owusu-Koramoah’s heart, and a source close to the player himself said he has never heard of any heart issue. During an interview on The Jim Rome Show today, Owusu-Koramoah said, “I never really had any heart issues or anything going on there. You know, you hear a lot of things, but you’ve got to get it from the source.”

One would think that there would be a little smoke to this fire, since plenty of teams passed on a player of Owusu-Koramoah’s upside, but color Cleveland GM Andrew Berry unconcerned. “[T]here’s no issue that would prevent him from being productive short- or long-term,” Berry said.

Indeed, Berry even considered taking Owusu-Koramoah with the No. 26 overall pick. Berry has worked hard to upgrade the Browns’ defense this offseason, and Owusu-Koramoah is a big part of that. The Golden Domer is something of a classic ‘tweener, but that’s becoming less relevant in today’s NFL. His speed and instincts should serve him well in a traditional LB role, and he could also get some looks at safety. He lined up at safety and even as a slot corner in college.

AFC Draft Notes: Browns, Jaguars, Broncos

Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah had one of the most surprising tumbles of the draft. Widely expected to be a first-rounder, he ended up falling to the Browns with the 52nd overall pick after Cleveland traded up to get him. Apparently, the Browns almost pulled the trigger a round earlier. Cleveland mulled taking him with their first-rounder, the 26th overall pick. “He was definitely under consideration,” exec Paul DePodesta said, via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal.

We certainly didn’t expect him to be there when he was, but we’re fortunate that he was,” GM Andrew Berry added. “There was a lot of pacing going on upstairs once we got to about pick 42, 43, 44, just trying to figure out if there was a way we could make it happen,” DePodesta explained of the trade up. The Browns needed linebacker help, so it was the perfect situation. Not only was Owusu-Koramoah the ACC Defensive Player of the Year last season, he was also a unanimous All-American.

Here’s more fallout from this weekend’s draft in the AFC:

  • The Jaguars reunited Trevor Lawrence with his college running back by drafting Travis Etienne 25th overall, but it sounds like they would’ve preferred someone else. On Friday head coach Urban Meyer said there was a player who “broke our heart” that they couldn’t draft, and on Saturday he revealed who that was. The team was hoping to pick Florida receiver Kadarius Toney, Meyer said, via John Shipley of Jaguar Report (Twitter link). It’s rare for a coach or GM to openly say something like that, so they must’ve really wanted him. Meyer called the Florida star a “human highlight reel,” and highlighted his relationship with current Gators coach Dan Mullen as to how he’d gotten close to Toney. Unfortunately for Meyer, the Giants nabbed Toney at 20th overall.
  • The Broncos drafted a small school prospect a lot of fans were high on when they took Quinn Meinerz from Wisconsin-Whitewater in the third-round. Meinerz played guard in college, but it looks like Denver is going to switch him to the pivot for pro development. Meinerz will start out playing center, head coach Vic Fangio said, via Mike Klis of Denver 9 News (Twitter link). As Klis points out, he’ll be behind 2020 third-rounder Lloyd Cushenberry on the depth chart.