Browns Sign First-Round Edge Rusher
Finding a starting quarterback will be the top priority for the Cleveland Browns in the coming weeks, but the biggest story of their offseason has centered around the defensive line. Edge rusher Myles Garrett’s trade request has come and gone, solved by a four-year, $160 million extension. Much of the energy was spent speculating on his replacement, like Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter. But finding the pass rusher opposite him along the edge will be important, too. For that Cleveland turned to the open market. On Wednesday, the Browns signed first-round edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka in free agency. According to Jordan Schultz, Tryon-Shoyinka’s deal is for one year and $4.75 million. Tryon-Shoyinka was the final pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, an inconvenience awarded for winning the Super Bowl two months prior. He registered six four sacks as a rookie, matched it in 2022, and set a career-high with five in 2023 before struggling for much of 2024, when he found just two sacks. However, while his production has wavered, his durability has stood out. He played in all 17 games in his first three seasons and missed just two games in 2024. Yet, his fifth-year option was unsurprisingly declined, allowing the rest of the league to take a longer look at acquiring him.
Cleveland ultimately pulled the trigger, prioritizing Tryon-Shoyinka as a potential starter along the edge.
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It seems more likely, though, that he’ll be competing for a spot with edge rusher Isaiah McGuire, who played surprisingly well for only posting 2.5 sacks. His prowess against the run, highlighted by eight tackles for loss, could give him a leg up for playing time. One thing Tryon-Shoyinka has going for him is his athleticism. With a red-hot motor, a 4.68-second 40-yard dash, and elite burst, there could be some untapped potential for the Browns to benefit from, perhaps on a rotation, passing-down-only basis. Nevertheless, he serves as a reminder that free agents are allowed to hit the open market for a reason. His first-round status lends itself to optimism, and playing alongside Garrett could prove beneficial, but expectations should remain tempered.
