On Monday, it was a sad day in Cleveland, Ohio, when the Cleveland Browns saw their five-year veteran linebacker, Sione TakiTaki, agree to a free-agent deal with the New England Patriots.
TakiTaki was taken by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft and has been with Cleveland ever since.
Cleveland Browns Fans Loved TakiTaki From Day One
The 28-year-old linebacker quickly became a fan favorite because of his excellent name. People were buying his jersey before he stepped onto an NFL field.
TakiTaki entered free agency last season, but the Browns were able to resign him back on a one-year deal. Even though there were talks and rumors that the Browns would bring him back this season, it never happened.
Former #Browns LB Sione Takitaki says goodbye on IG. He agreed to deal with Patriots on Monday. pic.twitter.com/fwZ6wRHgIh
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) March 12, 2024
TakiTaki Says Goodbye
The former BYU linebacker went to Instagram on Tuesday and posted a goodbye to the city with photos of him and the team over the past five years, commenting, “Just wanted to thank the city of Cleveland and the Browns organization for the last 5 years. Thank you for accepting me and my family with open arms. Built Bonds that will last a lifetime. Forever Love!!”
Cleveland Browns Signed TakiTaki’s Replacement
The Browns signed Jordan Hicks from the Minnesota Vikings on Monday to take TakiTaki’s place, and the Browns also saw veteran linebacker Anthony Walker Jr head down to Miami and join the Dolphins after spending three seasons in Cleveland.
The linebacker room will have a fresh new face in it this upcoming season, with TakiTaki and Walker both leaving and Jacob Phillips, drafted in 2020, also set to be a free agent and most likely won’t return.
The Browns still have to make some linebacker moves to add depth to the position, but I think the team is comfortable with what they have now, and we will have to see how that room plays out in 2024.
