Despite being with the Cleveland Browns for the past two seasons, linebacker Ogbo Okoronkwo could be a possible cut candidate before the 2025 regular season. According to a source, they believe the Browns could release Okoronkwo even though he would serve as a reliable asset alongside star Myles Garrett as a complementary option. Originally selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the former Oklahoma product began his career with the Los Angeles Rams, but couldn’t get much going in his first two seasons due to injuries and inconsistencies until he came to help the team to their Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Okoronkwo earned a one-year deal with the Houston Texans, where he put up some promising numbers of five sacks and 17 quarterback pressures.
This is why the Browns got him, but it’s been more of a drag than anything special. After two years in Cleveland, he’s only been able to total five starts, most of which came at the end of the season. Since the linebacker isn’t going to get a full-time starting role in this defense, it wouldn’t make sense to keep him if they’re not going to use him. Much like Denzel Ward, Shelby Harris, and other potential release candidates, it’s likely the Browns will release Okoronkwo if they endure another losing season. However, maybe they could put him on the trade block first before anything, but either way, here are three logical fits for the linebacker.
Breaking: Former Rams Super Bowl Champion Ogbo Okoronkwo Named Cut Candidate – 3 Logical Fits
Possible Next Teams
Carolina Panthers
After mortgaging their future on offense for the past two offseasons, the Carolina Panthers are finally finding some new life on the defensive side of the ball. Despite releasing veteran Jadeveon Clowney after one playing year, the Panthers seem to be moving in the right direction of building a reliable trenches team that could give quarterback Bryce Young some more playing time down the stretch. Even though they signed Christian Rozeboom this offseason, between him and Josey Jewell, the Panthers still have arguably a lot of work to do in their pass-rushing unit. Carolina had one of the worst defenses last year, and they can’t afford to make that mistake.
Even though they might not be contenders, they should give themselves a fighting chance. While DJ Wonnum could be on the chopping block before 2025, they could easily get someone like Okoronkwo to salvage this unit. It won’t be perfect, but it gives this defensive pass-rushing unit more breathing room.
Kansas City Chiefs
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs have one of the best defenses, but that all came apart in the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles. Between Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill and Leo Chenal, Bolton is probably the most reliable pass-rusher on this team. The team trading for Joshua Uche last season was proof that they need some sort of reset in the linebacker unit. If Tranquill and Chenal can’t improve this upcoming campaign, they should target Okoronkwo to provide this team some new life.
Baltimore Ravens
However, the Baltimore Ravens defense hasn’t been the same in recent memory. Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy are entering their contract years, and it’s likely the team will only be able to retain at least one of them if they break out this season. After losing Malik Harrison, Jadeveon Clowney and Geno Stone these past two offseasons, the team is going to have to figure out how to rebuild the pass-rush. 2025 draft pick Mike Green shows some potential, but he’s untested, and if Okoronkwo becomes a free agent, the Ravens could sign him for at least a year.
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