The Cleveland Browns set off big-time drama for their AFC North rivals in March when they extended star pass rusher Myles Garrett to a four-year contract extension that pays $40 million annually.
Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is seeking a trade amid fears that he will sit out if he doesn’t receive a raise after recording 35 sacks in the last two seasons. He recently said the Bengals have not been in touch with his agent, while the front office contends he wants too much money.
The AFC North has drama because of Myles Garrett’s extension
The Pittsburgh Steelers have an issue with T.J. Watt. Watt is reportedly unhappy that Pittsburgh doesn’t think he deserves to be close to Garrett in pay. He recently posted a peace sign on Instagram as a signal that he’d be willing to part ways with the Steelers.
While the AFC North is trying to figure out how to keep their pass rushers happy, the Browns made a signing that will shorten the list of available free agents for their rivals.
The Cleveland Browns signed Julian Okwara
Per a statement by the Browns on X, the team signed veteran pass rusher Julian Okwara.
“Originally drafted by Detroit in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, Okwara spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Lions as a linebacker. In four seasons, he appeared in 38 games with four starts and recorded 54 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, nine sacks, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one interception.
Okwara was then signed by the Cardinals to their practice squad in 2024 before he was elevated to the active roster in September 2024. In his one season with Arizona, Okwara appeared in 13 games with one start as an outside linebacker. He totaled 18 tackles, three tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, one sack, and one pass defensed.”
While the Browns count nine sacks, Pro Football Reference counts 10 for the 27-year-old pass rusher.
Okwara is a native of London, England, and played college football for Notre Dame. The six-foot-four, 250-pound pass rusher was a four-star recruit out of Ardey Kell High School in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Browns now have defensive ends Okwara, Garrett, Sam Kamara, Isaiah McGuire, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, and Alex Wright on their roster.