New Cardinals OLB eyeing starting role

Browning yielded only a sixth-round pick in return, given his status as a pending free agent. Denver already has Nik Bonitto in place as a starter along the edge, along with Jonathon Cooper. 

The latter was recently extended on a four-year deal with a base value of $54M, a commitment which suggested Browning would not be in line for a second Broncos contract during the offseason. In addition, the 25-year-old’s playing time had him positioned to remain a backup to close out the 2024 season.

"We had a long talk," head coach Sean Payton said when reflecting on a conversation involving himself, general manager George Paton and Browning, via Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post. "Contract year, the amount of snaps – he can get more snaps – it’s the puzzle of trying to look outward, too. Certainly, he’s been a part of what we’ve been doing, so it’s never easy to trade someone. I thought just in our visit… [Browning] totally understood and he was looking forward to getting more snaps in a year for him that’s important."

The Ohio State product transitioned from inside to outside linebacker following his rookie season, and he logged snap shares of 60 percent and 68 percent in 2022 and 2023, respectively. 

This season — one which has been limited to five contests due to a foot injury — Browning has been on the field for only 46 percent of Denver’s defensive plays. With Cooper and Bonitto in the fold, a change of scenery was going to be necessary for Browning to regain a regular first-team role. The opportunity to do so in Arizona is a welcomed one from his perspective.

"I didn’t want to be a distraction to my teammates, be a distraction to my unit back in Denver," Browning said, via Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith. "I was just ready for it to be done just to get this fresh start and show what I can do. I know I’m a starter in this league and I know I can play at a high level, so I’m just really excited about this opportunity to do that here."

Edge-rusher was known to be an area Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort was targeting, and as such, it came as no surprise Browning was acquired. That deal preceded the ones that saw Za’Darius Smith join the Lions and Preston Smith have his trade request granted en route to the Steelers. 

An effective showing in Arizona will be key for Browning ahead of his first trip to free agency. With no sacks so far this season, an uptick in production would help his chances of landing an extended stay with the Cardinals or strengthen his market amongst other suitors.