CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns’ front office operates with a distinct philosophy that balances high-risk, high-reward reclamation projects with cold, calculated financial decisions. The latest Orange & Brown Talk podcast provides a fascinating window into this strategic approach, examining both the Diontae Johnson signing and the surprising release of Ogbo Okoronkwo.
“Why did the Browns do this? They obviously see something in him. They obviously see some sort of reclamation project here where if it goes right, it could pay off big time for them,” host Dan Labbe said about the Johnson signing, highlighting the Browns’ willingness to gamble on troubled talent.
The answer reveals Cleveland’s eye for specific attributes that make these risks worth taking. As Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot explained: “They see a former Pro bowl receiver who fits in well with this system where you can get the ball in his hands, maybe in some of that horizontal passing game, and let him kind of use his playmaking and speed and athleticism and ability.”
This calculated bet on Johnson — a player with 28 career touchdown catches but significant character concerns — represents one side of the Browns’ roster management strategy. Despite his troubled history across three teams last season, Cleveland sees a skill set that perfectly complements their offensive system and a potential value far exceeding his veteran minimum contract.
The other side of this strategic coin was demonstrated with the release of Ogbo Okoronkwo, a move that initially surprised some fans but makes perfect sense through the lens of financial management.
“It really looked like a cost saving measure. They were able to save $3.36 million on the cap by making this move now after June 1st,” Cabot explained, highlighting the financial rationale behind the decision.
This $3.36 million in cap savings might seem modest in isolation, but these incremental moves enable the Browns to maintain flexibility within a challenging cap situation. As Cabot noted: “If you can save 2 million here, 3 million here, 4 million there, that’s the kind of thing that they need to do to manage their cap, to get it under control, to extend the guys they need to.”
The Okoronkwo decision was made easier by the Browns’ depth at edge rusher, with Alex Wright returning from injury, Isaiah McGuire showing promise, and the addition of Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. This calculated roster management allowed them to release a player who, by all accounts, was a positive locker room presence.
“I think he was a really good locker room guy. He was a really good teammate. He was a huge, huge supporter of Myles Garrett,” Cabot acknowledged. “He was a great, great guy to go talk to after games ... he could put things into perspective. He really had a great way about him.”
This juxtaposition — taking a chance on a potentially disruptive talent like Johnson while moving on from a universally respected teammate like Okoronkwo — perfectly encapsulates the Browns’ approach. It’s a strategy that prioritizes system fit, financial flexibility, and maximizing value, even when those decisions might raise eyebrows.
For Cleveland, these moves aren’t contradictory but complementary, representing different facets of a coherent roster-building philosophy that weighs talent, scheme fit, character, and financial considerations in a delicate balance.
Want to dive deeper into the Browns’ roster strategy and hear more insights about their recent moves? Listen to the full Orange & Brown Talk podcast episode for complete analysis of Cleveland’s calculated approach to building their 2025 roster.
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Note: Artificial intelligence was used to help generate this story from the Cleveland Orange and Brown Talk Podcast by cleveland.com. Visitors to cleveland.com have asked for more text stories based on website podcast discussions.