The defensive side of the ball for the Cleveland Browns powered them to a resurgent 2023 season. Despite starting five quarterbacks throughout the season, dominant defense and a renewed physicality took the team to an 11-6 record and the playoffs. There were many reasons why the Browns had the No. 1 total defense, but linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah proved invaluable.
The third-year Notre Dame standout registered 101 tackles, 20 for loss, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions in 16 starts. He made his first career Pro Bowl after manning the middle of Cleveland’s stout front and entering negotiations with the Browns as a big riser.
General manager Andrew Berry has admired Owusu-Koramoah since Cleveland selected him with the No. 52 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Berry jumped at the opportunity to get a deal done with Owusu-Koramoah’s camp, signing him to a three-year extension earlier this week. The contract is valued at $39 million with $25 million in guarantees – Owusu-Koramoah’s average annual salary of $13 million would rank No. 5 amongst inside linebackers entering the 2024 season.
Berry stated after the two sides announced an agreement: “When we drafted Jeremiah in 2021, we thought he was a unique player who embodied the skill sets needed to defend at linebacker in the modern-day NFL,” Berry said. “Three years later, he has shown himself among the best in the position.”
There are many positives to take from both sides of the negotiation table. Owusu-Koramoah gets a big payday after being one of the league’s breakout stars last season and backing from the franchise that drafted him. He also returns to the negotiating table at 28 years old with the potential to cash in for the second time during his athletic prime. The Browns signed an ascending star at 24 years old to a long-term deal and now get to watch Owusu-Koramoah hopefully grow to outperform his financial allotment.
Berry and company have been adamant about retaining the core of their roster for the long term; in the past year, they’ve inked multi-year extensions with tight end David Njoku, safety Grant Delpit, and wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. Owusu-Koramoah is a newer face, but he’s essential to the attitude and swagger that resonated through Cleveland’s defense.
The Browns have several big financial decisions to make after the season. Their expiring contracts include running back Nick Chubb, wide receiver Amari Cooper, and offensive tackle Jedrick Wills, and several candidates will be eligible for extensions. However, locking down Owusu-Koramoah was a priority, and now that it’s done, both sides head into the season feeling good.