The Cleveland Browns have made their release of pass rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo. This decision brings to a close his two-year stint with the team. On Thursday that decision was announced publicly. This announcement comes after Okoronkwo was a standout in 30 games (five starts), totaling 7.5 sacks and 54 tackles. At only 30 years old, Okoronkwo has some strong performance metrics under his belt as well as a forced fumble. Even with one year remaining on his three-year, $19 million deal, he’s willing to turn the page.
In 2023, Okoronkwo signed with the Cleveland Browns. Before that, he was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Over his six-season career in the league, he accumulated a total of 17 sacks, showcasing his ability as a reliable pass rusher. His impact in Cleveland supercharged the Cavs’ one-man rearguard act. Rather than take that road, the Browns chose to enhance their partner with the team—the CEO Dee Haslam.
The pass rusher clearly appreciated Browns ownership. He expressed their gratitude back to their burgeoning fan base in an emotional love letter posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, declaring “Love to the Land!” This message especially struck a chord with the fans, who admired the passion he brought to the team.
In a related move after releasing Okoronkwo, the Browns signed kicker Andre Szmyt. This first trade is indicative of the team making strategic moves to continue tuning their roster and hone in on how they’ll attack the 2023 season.
For the Browns, it’s on to the next steps without Okoronkwo. They are in for a challenge, will immediately look to backfill the void his passing left and bulk up their defensive perimeter. Releasing a seasoned player like Okoronkwo, with great and obvious potential, is one testament to the brutal competition in the NFL. It illustrates how team culture is often changing.
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