Cleveland Browns get massive steal signing former Notre Dame All-American linebacker to a new deal

Despite being one of the best linebackers in college football, former Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah fell to the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft to the Cleveland Browns . A last second heart issue scare, and lack of testing, led to the fall.

On Wednesday, “JOK” had his hard work pay off over the last three years, signing a new 3-year deal worth up to $39 million. Of that deal, the 24-year old star is guaranteed $25 million.

That $13 million per year average slots Owusu-Koramoah as the sixth highest paid linebacker in the NFL. That is just behind former Baltimore Ravens standout Patrick Queen, who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. Roquan Smith (Baltimore Ravens), Fred Warner (San Francisco 49ers), Tremaine Edmunds (Chicago Bears) and Matt Milano (Buffalo Bills) were the other four linebackers ahead of him.

Owusu-Koramoah just turned in his best season in the NFL so far in 2023. After being good, but injured some his first two years, JOK led the Browns with 101 total tackles and 20 tackles for loss. He also recorded 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, six pass breakups, and a forced fumble. That tackle for loss total was the highest of any linebacker in the league.

Calling Owusu-Koramoah great during his time with the Irish seems like a serious understatement. During his final two years, he recorded 142 total tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, one interception, seven pass breakups, and five forced fumbles.

His performance in 2020 during a shortened season was a big reason why Notre Dame ended with an undefeated regular season, and advanced to the college football playoffs. Owusu-Koramoah was also selected as the Butkus Award that season, which is given to the best linebacker in the country.

After the season for JOK, this contract is a steal for the Browns. With some durability issues his first two years, there is some risk involved but if he had another tremendous season in 2024, the price would have skyrocketed. Owusu-Koramoah wanted to get a deal done rather than letting the market play out, and is now set to be in Cleveland for the foreseeable future.