CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The NFL’s free agency “legal tampering” window opened at noon Monday without the Browns making a big splash early but they made plenty of noise later in the day to fill two major needs.
Cleveland began their offseason roster additions by reaching agreement on a three-year deal with former Texans edge rusher Ogbonnia Okoronkwo worth a reported $19 million and $12.5 million guaranteed.
Late Monday night the Browns agreed to another deal with Vikings free agent defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson worth a reported $57 million over four years with $27.5 guaranteed.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com first reported the agreement with Okoronkwo and Ian Rapoport of NFL media was first on Tomlinson's contract details.
“To The LAND! God is good!” Okoronkwo posted on his Instagram story via his verified account.
In four years with the Rams and Texans, Okoronkwo combined to total 9.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, 24 QB hits, three forced fumbles and three pass breakups.
Last season in Houston Okoronkwo had five sacks which came in the final, 11 QB hits, nine tackles for loss, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Tomlinson is entering his seventh season after spending the first four with the Giants and the last two in Minnesota where he has totaled 13.0 sacks, 37 QB hits, 26 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries while starting all 93 games he has appeared in.
Last season for the Vikings Tomlinson had 2.5 sacks, 10 QB hits, three tackles for loss plus a forced fumble and fumble recovery in 13 games.
Earlier in the day executive vice president of football operations and general manager Andrew Berry carved out nearly $22 million under the salary cap by restructuring Deshaun Watson’s contract by converting most of his $46 million salary into a bonus to allow Berry the maneuverability to start spending more money to fill holes on the roster.
Berry also agreed to terms on a reported three-year deal with Pocic to keep him off the free agent market.
The organization was very pleased with how well Pocic played last season after stepping in for Nick Harris, who suffered a season-ending injury during the preseason opener last August in Jacksonville.
Cabot also reported that the Browns will also retain linebacker Sione Takitaki, who suffered a torn ACL in December that ended his season, in the coming days.
Defensive end Chase Winovich said his goodbyes to Cleveland Monday afternoon after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Houston Texans.
“I don’t owe my twitter family and supporters anything but the truth - I whole heartedly loved Cleveland and my teammates there so much. Thank you to whole @Browns org - the Haslam family, management, and all the coaches for believing me and for all the love and opportunities!” Winovich posted in a series of tweets. “Zeus and I will always cherish our time here in Cleveland and all the amazing relationships that we’ve made! THANK YOU CLEVELAND! As well as all the support staff! Top to bottom the whole org is filled with ppl that are invested in seeing their players succeed and I am so so so grateful.”
Cleveland saw the defensive tackle market go crazy before coming to terms with Tomlinson.
Daron Payne stayed with Washington for 4 years and $90 million with $45-60 million in guarantees Sunday.
Javon Hargrave agreed to a reported 4-year, $85 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers with $40 million guaranteed. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Hargrave chose the 49ers over the Browns.
Cleveland native Dre'Mont Jones chose the Seahawks over coming home. His deal was for a reported three years and $51 million.
Bengals safety Jessie Bates, who was tied to the Browns leading up to free agency, agreed to a reported four-year, $64 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
In 2022 the Browns outspent everyone but the Los Angeles Rams with a cash payroll of $276.3 million and they are on their way to spending big again this year.