The 2023 Cleveland Browns defense ranked first in nearly every defensive category for most of the season. DC Jim Schwartz came in and turned an explosive defensive group into one of the best in the league.In last year’s offseason, Browns GM Andrew Berry, a former cornerback, looked at the franchise’s defense and decided to shake things up. He brought several new men into the ranks of the defensive line and also the defensive second.But the driver remained more or less the same.Already signed Jacob Phillips, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Sione Takitaki and Tony Fields.
Contracts expiring after the 2022 season included Jermaine Carter, Anthony Walker, Jordan Kunaszyk, Tae Davis, Deion Jones, Reggie Ragland and practice squad member Storey Jackson.In free agency, Berry signed Takitaki to a one-year extension, inked Cam Bright, then re-signed Walker and Kunaszyk to one-year deals and brought in rookie free agents Mohamoud Diabate and Charlie Thomas.Phillips was benched for the season during training camp. Bright and Thomas were the final trade, and Diabate became Cleveland Brown. Thomas was then added to the practice squad. Kunaszyk played in 15 games with two starts for the Browns in 2022 and led the team in special teams tackles with 11, but suffered a knee injury in the final preseason game and found IR his new home.On Opening Day against the Cincinnati Bengals, the starting lineup was Walker, Takitaki and JOK.Coming to ClevelandWalker’s career in Cleveland has been a roller coaster so far.
He was a celebrated free agent signed after the 2020 season, totaling 321 hits over his last three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. The franchise wanted to retain his services but was on the salary cap, so concessions were made on multiplayer.Cleveland Browns v Indianapolis ColtsPhoto by Michael Hickey/Getty ImagesThe Browns wanted to add a smart, tough and responsible player to the defense that wants to take a step forward in 2021. Fortunately for the Browns, he signed a one-year, $3 million business with them. He was considered a defender.Then-Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was quoted regarding the signing of Walker:
“We’re adding another smart, tough football player. This is a guy who plays hard, plays fast, plays mean. He can be a defensive back. Really smart, head-turning player.”Walker showed his worth right out of the gate with 113 tackles and two tackles for loss. While with Indy, he was relatively healthy, the only injuries being a pulled hamstring and groin in. 2021 in Cleveland.
He was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury on Sept. 17 and then activated on Oct. 9 for week 5.In the offseason, Berry signed Walker to another $4.25 million contract through 2022 after he led the Browns in offense. He had 10 games in which he had eight or more tackles, including 14 in a 41-16 Week 9 win against the Cincinnati Bengals.Stefanski had this to offer about bringing back his top hitter:”Last year when we brought in A-Walk, we knew we were going to get a smart, productive lineman.
He’s proven us right in those areas. He has also that skill.leadership qualities , can’t get enough of.on your team and we’re excited to have him back for Game 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers after tearing his quadriceps tendon early in the third quarter. In the play, Walker lay motionless and face down for several minutes.
Walker appeared to have his foot caught in the grass and as he was about to stop, Steelers OT Chukwuma Okorafor hit him back in the head area with two hands. The contact caused Walker’s left leg to bend back awkwardly. Walker was lying face down at the time, not moving or trying to get up, when the 6-6-inch, 320-pound Okorafor pounced on him. Jumping on a walker in real time felt pretty violent..
A vehicle was called shortly after the medical staff came out. Walker was later dismissed. Okorafor was penalized on the play, but it was an ineligible player on the field before throwing a pass, not an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.Injury ended Walker’s season.Ironically, in the same game, JOK and DT Tavan Bryan left the game with groin and hamstring issues. Walker’s injury required surgery and his new home became IR..
Other running backs suffered injuries as the schedule progressed, such as S Ronnie Harrison, but the loss of Walker became the Browns’ longest hit. You don’t just take out your main attacker, defensive leader and defensive soul and expect that unit to perform at a normal level.
In addition to his production, Walker used a green dot, which meant that he received radio communications from DC Woods. He was also the defensive captain chosen by his teammates and his leadership was unquestionable.That meant Walker’s tenure with the Browns spanned four games in 2021 and 14 games in 2022.Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns signed Walker to a one-year deal days after visiting the Washington Chiefs. The terms were a base salary of $1.08 million, a prorated bonus of $152,500 and a cap hit of $1.233 million.
Heading into 2023 training camp in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia, Walker participated in some individual drills but not team drills.Walker told The News-Herald:”Great progress. I think every day has been better for me on the field. You can’t recreate football by doing rehab or just training on the sidelines. So I think the last part for me is actually going out and doing individual drills and then going seven-on-seven, then progressing to the team phase. I think I am taking steps in the right direction.
The game, the regular season game, is still weeks away, but we’re just progressing and going at the pace the coaches want me to go.This time there was a new defensive coordinator in Jim Schwartz. At Walker, he valued his leadership.Besides being a good tackler, intangibles like leadership, being in the weight room and being a key voice in meeting rooms are hard to describe for a defensive unit.
This season, he was injured after starting 12 games and was placed on IR again after tweaking his knee during practice. He had 44 tackles, four pass defenses and a forced fumble. Walker underwent the procedure fairly quickly and was evaluated weekly to see if he could return later on schedule with three regular season games remaining for the 9-5-0 Browns..
The Browns have been ravaged by injuries, with Walker becoming the 13th injured player among nine who have played a significant role since Week 1.But those three plays came and went together in the playoff game against the Houston Texans. Walker couldn’t dress any of them.ContinuationWhat should the Browns do with Walker this season? He is a free agent again.
Another year on the deal? Maybe a multi-year deal? Will he be allowed to test the free agent market?Before you re-sign him, a glance at the roster would suggest that his replacement would be either Phillips, Takitaki, or undrafted rookie Diabate. Phillips is injured every year.
Takitaki is a good option, but he lines up best at linebacker at Will, where his speed is an asset. And Diabate played sparingly in 2023, meaning he was not tested.Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh SteelersPhoto: Cooper Neill/Getty ImagesThe fact that Walker himself has been injured and missed games is definitely something to consider. But when he is on the pitch, he plays at a high level.
He is a professional and provides excellent leadership both on and off the field.Walker is a candidate for the Browns’ 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year. The seven-year veteran was a “Stay In The Game! Attendance Network Ambassador,” making him the face of the Browns Foundation’s primary charitable program.And Walker has proven that he is not only a good defensive player, but also a great teammate throughout his career. Not only was he chosen as a team leader, but he also handled the defensive play, commanding a defense that was among the best defensive units all year.
Walker is also a fan in Cleveland. The 28-year-old totaled 170 tackles, including seven for losses, in three seasons with the Browns..
And now that the Browns season has officially started, has Berry reached out to Walker about staying with the Browns? It just seems silly for the team to keep him on a one-year contract. What will it take for them to sign a multi-year deal like they did with Ethan Pocic last year?Coach Schwartz has been a huge difference maker on this defense. He needs great line play to make his schemes work more dramatically than any other defensive coordinator.Rehabilitation is not easy.
The good news is that Walker’s recent injury was not serious. If signed to a new contract, he would be ready for training camp.If Myles Garrett is the heart of the Browns defense, is it possible that Walker is its soul?.
