chris easterling, akron beacon journal
·4 min read
BEREA — Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah had been in the NFL long enough to know that the least-certain things in the league are certainties. That's especially true when it comes to the business side of things.
So, despite the fact the Browns and their fourth-year linebacker were all aware of the necessity of getting a long-term extension done, Owusu-Koramoah wasn't going to count the proverbial money before it was actually in hand.
"Yeah, I mean, there's a strong knowing, right, so I would say I believed," Owusu-Kormoah said Wednesday prior to the Browns' first joint practice with the Minnesota Vikings. "But you never really know how the NFL operates. There's so many different things that can be thrown at you. So you have to be appreciative when you could be drafted to a team and then the team extends you more years. So there's always a sense of honor there."
The money got to Owusu-Koramoah's hands on Wednesday, after the Browns signed him to a three-year extension. His new deal is worth $39 million overall with, $25 million is guaranteed.
The 24-year-old former 2021 second-round pick out of the University of Notre Dame has emerged as one of the cornerstones for the Browns defense, especially over the last year. Three of those — defensive end Myles Garrett, cornerback Denzel Ward and safety Grant Delpit — are locked up for at least the next two seasons.
“Well, I'm not quite at those guys levels," Owusu-Koramoah said. "I may be on one of the hills around here in Cleveland. They're up there, but as time goes on, I look to be where they're at. I look to transcend the mountain and continue to work to be the best player and teammate that I can.”
The trajectory Owusu-Koramoah has been on of late may help him get there much, much quicker than he expected. While injuries were a nagging problem for him his first two years in the league, he took off last season, the first time he was healthy for the full season
Owusu-Koramoah had 20 tackles for loss, fourth-most in the league. He also had 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble and two interceptions, while earning his first career Pro Bowl berth.
"Yeah, earned not given is the first thing that comes to mind," Owusu-Koramoah's teammate, safety Rodney McLeod said. "He's earned every bit of what he received today and was rewarded through his production the way that he played last year. And this organization understands that caliber player they need to keep around for an extended period of time. And so I know he's going to take that next step in his journey now, and I'm excited for him."
For Owusu-Koramoah, that next step isn't really as mysterious as some may perceive. It's not really any different than the steps he's already taken over the first three years.
"I think when you look at the numbers, a lot of people say like, oh, some dramatic big jump," he said. "But if you look at the numbers, it's not 30 tackles off, right? There isn't this super superman that comes to play. No, I think that it's about process. It's about learning more. It's about growing more. It's about having new teammates, understanding your teammates, and just being able to make those changes, make those mistakes in a way that they won't happen again. So I think that that's really the keys to it is just about progression and growth."
Owusu-Koramoah has always been a player who doesn't just focus on the physical side of things. The mental, emotional and, even, spiritual aspect of it all are very important to him.
That's the same approach Owusu-Koramoah has taken to the new contract, and the life-changing money that comes with the deal.
"I mean, it's always life changing," Owusu-Koramoah said. "I mean, to be honest, when I wake up in the morning, I feel like it's life changing because not everybody gets to do it. All we are doing is talking about things and opportunities that's been handed to you that other people have not had, and it's a chance to just respond to it.
"God has bestowed a gift upon you, and it's your duty to respond to that response-I-ability, if you want to put it like that. So I think that it's a big thing. It's a life-changing thing, but even in the minute details of just waking up in the morning, all of those things mean a lot to me.”
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah receives contract extension from Browns
