With the Cleveland Browns rumor mill swirling over a possible trade to land San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, a more imminent and equally important transaction could be on the horizon.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoach, the 2021 second-round pick out of Notre Dame, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He had a Pro Bowl season in 2023 and with the departures of veterans Sione Takitaki and Anthony Walker Jr., JOK is expected to be even more vital in Jim Schwartz's defense.
One source says that the Browns want to lock in their star linebacker sooner rather than later, meaning a deal could be forthcoming before the season opens in just over a month.
While the source appears not to be a Cleveland-based one, Rickey (@prettyrickey213 has proved to be credible in the past with other notable NFL transactions so his input should not be ignored. Rickey reports that "big progress" has been made on a contract extension, and the Browns "expect to have something done by the start of the season."
In 41 career games, Owusu-Koramoah has registered 166 solo tackles, 10 quarterback hits, 5 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions. How JOK's resume is valued in the linebacker market remains to be seen.
Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, 27, entering the second year of his 5-year $100 million extension, is the highest-paid NFL linebacker. Micah Parsons, a fellow 2021 draftee, will likely reset the linebacker market when he gets a new contract.