Latest news with #OgboOkoronkwo
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Browns Shakeup Defensive Front After Cutting Super Bowl Champion
Browns Shakeup Defensive Front After Cutting Super Bowl Champion originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A month out from training camp teams are making their final moves to set up their 90-man rosters for positional competition through the coming month and a half. Thursday, the Cleveland Browns made a shocking decision in navigating that process. Advertisement Cleveland released veteran pass rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo, signing kicker Andre Szmyt in a corresponding move. Okoronkwo was set to enter the final year of a three-year deal he signed back in 2022. The dead cap hit for the Browns comes in at just under $2 million. Given the post-June 1 designation his dead money will be spread across two seasons, costing the team $4.7 million in 2025. Okoronkwo had 37 solo tackles and 7.5 sacks in his two years with the Browns. He previously spent the first three years of his career with the Los Angeles Rams and won Super Bowl LVI before signing with the Houston Texans for the 2022 season. Okoronkwo had served as a rotational piece for this defense though Cleveland's pass rushing unit quickly became more crowded and a lot younger. The young contingent including Alex Wright, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Isaiah McGuire will all get an opportunity to make an impression through the coming weeks at camp. Advertisement This all comes in the shadow of the biggest move of the Browns' offseason, signing defensive superstar Myles Garrett to a four-year $160 million extension. As of now that figure marks the largest annual salary for a defensive player in NFL history. He was slated to be the highest earning non quarterback in the league before the Cincinnati Bengals reset the record with an extension for Ja'Marr Chase weeks after Garrett's deal. Related: Browns' Diontae Johnson's Role Unclear in Offense Related: Browns Roster Cut Candidate Surprises Many This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Browns Send Clear Message After Cutting Former Super Bowl Champion
Browns Send Clear Message After Cutting Former Super Bowl Champion originally appeared on Athlon Sports. This offseason, the Cleveland Browns focused much of their attention on their quarterback situation, as they decided who would be the Week 1 starter between Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Advertisement However, that doesn't mean the organization has turned its back on other parts of the team, as on Thursday, the Browns released defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo, who still had one season left on his three-year, $19 million contract. After releasing Okoronkwo, the Browns thanked him and wished him luck on X. "Obeezy, the ultimate good vibes, high-energy guy. Thank you for all you brought to our team. Good luck in the next chapter," the Browns posted. In his two seasons with Cleveland, the 6-foot-2 defensive end accumulated a solid amount of production. Appearing in 30 games, he totaled 54 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hits, 21 pressures and seven quarterback knockdowns. Advertisement Throughout the entirety of his six-year career (2019-2024), Okoronkwo racked up 132 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, 38 quarterback hits, 55 pressures and 20 quarterback knockdowns so far. Despite not earning many personal accolades, one of the most notable aspects of his NFL journey has been being a part of the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Cleveland Browns defensive ends Myles Garrett (95) and Ogbo Okoronkwo (54).Ken Blaze-Imagn Images However, it's clear that even after the Browns released Okoronkwo, the team will always hold a special place in his heart, as on the same day, he went to X to say "Love to the Land!" Now, it will remain to be seen if any other teams decide to take a chance on the 30-year-old defensive end as he becomes a free agent. Advertisement Related: Eagles Star Takes Subtle Shot at Chiefs Before NFL Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Reuters
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Browns release DE Ogbo Okoronkwo, sign K Andre Szmyt
June 26 - The Cleveland Browns released defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo and re-signed kicker Andre Szmyt on Thursday. Okoronkwo, 30, was entering the final season of his three-year, $19 million contract. He expressed goodwill to his now-former club Thursday with a post on social media: "Love to the Land!" Okoronkwo recorded 23 tackles and 3.0 sacks in 16 games (five starts) last season. A Super Bowl champion with the Rams, Okoronkwo has totaled 132 tackles and 17.0 sacks in 80 career games (13 starts) with Los Angeles (2019-21), Houston Texans (2022) and Browns. He was selected by the Rams in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Szmyt, 26, was waived by the Browns earlier this month. He joined Cleveland's practice squad in December after kicking for the UFL's St. Louis Battlehawks in 2024. Szmyt will serve as a backup to veteran Dustin Hopkins. --Field Level Media
Newsweek
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Browns Release Star DE in Shocking Roster Move
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Cleveland Browns, like all other 31 NFL teams, will have to make roster moves before the regular season begins. While the 53-man roster limit is months away, the Browns have already made a major roster move. Former Super Bowl champion defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo will now be able to join a new team, as he has been released by the Browns. The #Browns have released edge Ogbo Okoronkwo, a former big-ticket free agent in the final year of his 3-year, $19M deal. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 26, 2025 Ian Rapoport confirmed the news on X, stating: "The #Browns have released edge Ogbo Okoronkwo, a former big-ticket free agent in the final year of his 3-year, $19M deal." Okoronkwo ended the 2024 season with a combined 23 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble. Despite being a Super Bowl champion, he will now be free to sign with a new team. CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 21: Ogbo Okoronkwo #54 of the Cleveland Browns rushes the passer during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on November 21, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 21: Ogbo Okoronkwo #54 of the Cleveland Browns rushes the passer during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on November 21, 2024 in Cleveland, story will be updated...
