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…