The Cleveland Browns hope their defense will pick up where they left off in 2023. The Browns’ defense ranked first in total yards allowed, total first downs, total passing yards, percentage of drives resulting in an offensive score, and tackles for loss. They anticipate having eight of their 11 starters back in their 4-3 starting rotation for another season, including their talented linebacker.
The Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl linebacker could be in line for an expanded role
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah could be in line for an expanded role and could wear the green dot on his football helmet for the defense in Year 4. Owusu-Koramoah posted his best statistical season in Year 3, recording career-highs in tackles, TFLs, sacks, interceptions, pass deflections, games played, starts, and snaps, and earning his first Pro Bowl selection.
JOK, heading in Year 4, entered the final year of his 4-year, $6,476,216 rookie contract. He has a $1,543,120 base salary and a $2,060,614 cap hit for 2024. He was listed as a possible extension candidate this offseason.
The Cleveland Browns extended their Pro Bowler
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Browns extended Owusu-Koramoah to a 3-year contract worth up to $39 million and $25 million guaranteed. If JOK maxes out on incentives, he will be the sixth-highest-paid linebacker based on APY, per Over The Cap.
Sources: The #Browns have agreed to terms with standout, do-it-all LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who cashes in after a Pro Bowl season.
He gets a 3-year deal worth up to $39M with $25M guaranteed in a deal negotiated by CAA that gets the 24-year old back to the table quickly. pic.twitter.com/O5fTz8fDNv
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 14, 2024
2 reasons why this is a good signing
First, Owusu-Koramoah is young. JOK turns 25 in November and has plenty of gas left in the tank. He also has potential in this league and hasn’t reached his prime yet.
Second, he’s coming off a breakout season where he notched career highs in every major category and is an asset to their elite defense.
2 reasons why this is a risky signing
First, Owusu-Koramoah has battled injuries throughout his career. He missed three games in 2021 with a high ankle sprain and six in 2022 with a knee sprain and a Lisfranc injury.
Second, JOK hasn’t been a 100% snap player in his first three seasons. According to Jack Duffin, he has only played six games in his career with 90% or more defensive snaps in one game and has failed to play every snap in a single game.
Going to come down to how often JOK can stay on the field
– Six career games of 90%+ snaps
– Never played 100% of snaps in a game
– Played close to 50% of snaps for a three game run middle of last yearIf he becomes a 90-100% snap LB for the the next four years it’s good value https://t.co/M6fWqqxLGe
— Jack Duffin (@JackDuffin) August 14, 2024
