The Browns signed Okwara to a contract Monday, Kelsey Russo of the team's official site reports. Okwara appeared in 13 games with the Cardinals in 2024, registering 18 tackles. He served as an outside linebacker in Arizona but will likely settle into a depth role at defensive end in Cleveland coordinator Jim Schwartz's 4-3 base defense.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Julian Okwara news
Team
Cleveland Browns
Birthdate
12/27/1997 (27)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'4", 250 lbs
Draft Info
2020: Rd 3; Pk (DET)
Birthplace
Charlotte, NC, USA
Position
DE
College
Notre Dame
Experience
5 seasons
Career History
Philadelphia Eagles
2024-2025
(1 season)
Arizona Cardinals
2024-2024
(1 season)
Detroit Lions
2020-2024
(4 seasons)
The Browns signed Okwara to a contract Monday, Kelsey Russo of the team's official site reports. Okwara appeared in 13 games with the Cardinals in 2024, registering 18 tackles. He served as an outside linebacker in Arizona but will likely settle into a depth role at defensive end in Cleveland coordinator Jim Schwartz's 4-3 base defense.
Okwara finished the 2024 season with 18 total tackles (10 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding a pass defensed over 13 games. Okwara operated as a depth option at linebacker for the Cardinals in 2024, stepping up on occasion to occupy a significant role on the team's defense. The linebacker matched a career-high in 13 games played and his 18 total tackles were the second highest total of his five-year NFL career. Okwara will enter the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and he'll likely look for another opportunity elsewhere in an attempt to find a starting role.
Okwara is set to start alongside linebackers Kyzir White and Mack Wilson after Dennis Gardeck suffered a season-ending ACL injury during Monday's win over the Chargers, Kevin Zimmerman of Arizona Sports reports. Gardeck, who leads the Cardinals with three sacks this season, tore his ACL in the second half of Monday's game, and he will be out for the rest of the year. Okwara stepped in with the first-team defense following Gardeck's injury, and the former finished the game with one solo tackle across 35 snaps, including a season-high 29 snaps on defense. Okwara is the top candidate to start at linebacker alongside White and Wilson, though Krys Barnes and Jesse Luketa should also see their snaps on defense increase. Okwara's most productive season came in 2021 as a member of the Lions, during which he registered 27 tackles (18 solo), including 5.0 sacks, two pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery across 13 regular-season games.