Browns’ latest move in free agency sheds light on the major uncertainty around one of their own Pro Bowlers

With the signing, Cleveland has now made two moves at linebacker this season by bringing back Devin Bush as well. Major uncertainty exists regarding LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and his future on the field.

Owusu-Koramoah was injured in Week 8 of last season when attempting to tackle Baltimore Ravens LB Derrick Henry. The Browns haven’t given a ton of updates since then and there is a worry that the neck injury will limit his football future. At this time, there are no numbers out there on the Baker contract. When those come out, it will give us a better view of whether the Browns are planning to start him or if he is depth.

“I wish I had a specific update for you on Jeremiah,” Browns GM Andrew Berry said at the NFL Scouting Combine last month. “I would say that he's slowly making progress. He's going through all that's required medically, but I don't have anything specific.”

Baker is a linebacker with range and speed, a lot like Owusu-Koramoah even if to a lesser extent. Baker is heading into his eighth NFL season and his first seven seasons came with the Miami Dolphins, who he started 82 of the 94 games he played in for them. In 2020, Baker made 112 tackles, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles in 16 games.

In 2024, Baker played five games with the Seattle Seahawks after signing there as a free agent before he was traded to the Tennessee Titans. In the 10 games combined, Baker made 61 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble.

Jordan Hicks is the other veteran in the room and the Browns have Mohamoud Diabate, Winston Reid, and Nathaniel Watson as depth.

It is a real possibility that the Browns are going to have Owusu-Koramoah start the season on the PUP list. The lack of updates around the Pro Bowl linebacker is alarming, though there is no certain word.

Owusu-Koramoah is a fan favorite and his health away from the field is far and away more important than football will ever be. Until there is a solid update on his current status, these worries are going to exist. The Browns bringing in Baker only added to that.