CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Ogbonnia Okoronkwo has waited patiently to become a starter in the NFL.
This offseason, his patience and hard work have paid off.
“I am just grateful,” Okoronkwo said during his introductory Zoom video conference Wednesday. “I am glad that the Browns did their homework on me. I feel like it is a really good fit for both parties. I feel like I fit into exactly what they are looking for, and I feel like I am going to bring them the production that they are looking for on the other side of Myles [Garrett].”
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The Browns signed him to a three-year, $19 million contract with $12.5 million guaranteed this offseason to serve as Garrett’s bookend on the defensive line after he finished the 2022 season strong for the Houston Texans.
“I think me and Myles both possess a combination of traits – speed, power and quickness,” Okoronkwo said. “That coming off of both edges is going to be a lot for an offensive line to deal with. We are just excited to see how they are going to try to block us.”
Okoronkwo was mostly a pass rush specialist in his first three years with the Los Angeles Rams where he had 13 QB hits 4.5 sacks, five tackles for loss and a pair of forced fumbles in limited snaps.
“I would be lying if I said it wasn’t [difficult],” Okoronkwo said. “Everybody feels like they deserve to play. I feel like I was working really hard and doing the things that were necessary to get on the field. I was waiting on my time. It was nobody’s fault. When the opportunity came, I took advantage of it.”
It was the final eight games of last season with the Houston Texans that saw him blossom after finally getting an opportunity to start.
Okoronkwo had five sacks in the final six games of the season. He finished the year with 44 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 11 QB hits, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
“I think that that made me a better player because it just showed me how to make the most out of my opportunities when I was getting about five to 10 snaps,” Okoronkwo said. “What can I do in those five to 10 snaps? Instead of complaining about why I'm not getting 20 to 30, I feel like it just made me more of an efficient player.”
Okoronkwo, who had just finished a workout before sitting down with reporters, comes to Cleveland knowing he’ll be a starter, but his approach to the game remains unchanged.
“It definitely hasn't changed my mindset,” Okoronkwo said. “I'm a guy who, I play with a chip on my shoulder. That's the way I train. That's the way I approach everything. So it hasn't really changed much. I'm still going to Cleveland feeling like there's a lot of things that I deserve that I haven't gotten, and I'm going to work that way.”
In Los Angeles, Okoronkwo learned a lot from nine-time Pro Bowler and seven-time All-Pro Aaron Donald.
“That guy is really gifted so a lot that I learned from him was just a mindset,” Okoronkwo said. “If you see him play, you know how relentless he is, you know how much the games mean to him and you know how much he loves it. Just watching the way he plays, the way he works and how early he comes to work just to get more film and just the little things that he does. A lot of people will say that he is a gifted athlete, and yes, he really is, but he puts in so much work off the field just preparing himself for when he is going to get into these games because Aaron Donald is getting triple-teamed every game. For him to be able to play at that high level, he has to come in and watch extra film, stay after it and a lot of body work. Just a full-on pro. I feel like that is what I took from him watching him and playing alongside him.”
Okoronkwo now teams up with Garrett, a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro. Chaos in opposing backfields is expected, especially with Garrett coming off back-to-back franchise record 16-sack seasons.
“We are just excited to get after quarterbacks,” Okoronkwo said. “He has watched a lot of my game, and I have of course watched a bunch of his game. We are just ready to play with each other and learn what each other likes and how to play off of each other.”
Jim Schwartz isn’t a send the house defensive coordinator. He looks for his linemen to win their battles, hit gaps and get to the quarterback, something Okoronkwo doesn’t think will be a problem playing opposite of No. 95.
“I am just excited that he has faith in our front four to get pressure without blitzing,” Okoronkwo said. “That is the ultimate compliment for the defensive line if you don’t have to blitz. I feel like he has the guys to do it in this defense.”
Experience has taught Okoronkwo a lot and he will keep learning in Cleveland. As for his repertoire on the field, the edge rusher is confident in what he brings to the table.
“We will see. The best pass rushers only use three to four moves,” Okoronkwo said. “You don’t need 100 moves. We will see. I like my bread and butter, but I am always willing to add more things to my toolbelt.
“I think the best is yet to come for me. I don’t think anybody has seen my best ball yet. I am excited to show everybody.”