The Cleveland Browns have re-signed defensive lineman Sam Kamara ahead of the 2026 season. The news was confirmed on March 20 by his agency, LAA Sports.
Kamara has spent time in Cleveland, going back to 2022, working his way from the practice squad to a spot on the active roster. The move keeps a familiar face in the Browns’ defensive front heading into what shapes up to be a significant offseason of change for the organization. Per Over The Cap, the new deal is a one-year contract worth $1.1 million with no guaranteed money.
How Kamara Built His Case for Another Contract in Cleveland
Few players in the Browns’ recent history have had to earn their spot the way Kamara has. A native of Carteret, New Jersey, Kamara played college football at Stony Brook, an FCS program, and went undrafted following the 2021 NFL draft.
The Chicago Bears signed him as an undrafted free agent, but his stay there was brief. He bounced between the active roster and practice squad throughout his one season with Chicago before Cleveland came calling.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Sam Kamara (92) tackles Miami Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley (18)
Dec 29, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Sam Kamara (92) tackles Miami Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley (18) during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Kamara joined the Browns’ practice squad in October 2022. From that point, his path continued in a familiar pattern: practice squad stints, elevations, waivers, and re-signings. It was not glamorous, but he kept showing enough to stay in the building. In the 2023 season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals, he recorded a career-high seven tackles.
His most notable moment came in Week 18 of the 2024 season, when he made his first career start at defensive tackle against the Baltimore Ravens, posting six tackles.
DL Sam Kamara is re-signing with the Browns, per his agency LAA. pic.twitter.com/bnqyPXKeNX
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 20, 2026
What the Re-Signing Means for Cleveland’s Defensive Line in 2026
Dec 29, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley (18) laughs with Cleveland Browns defensive end Sam Kamara (92) following a tackle during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Dec 29, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley (18) laughs with Cleveland Browns defensive end Sam Kamara (92) following a tackle during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
The Browns head into 2026 with several changes along the defensive front. Veteran defensive tackle Shelby Harris, who had been a steady presence in Cleveland, is not returning. The team has added depth pieces, including Kalia Davis, a 2022 sixth-round pick with starting experience.
Kamara fits as the kind of rotational option a defensive line needs to sustain its depth over a 17-game schedule. At $1.1 million with no guaranteed money, the contract carries no meaningful cap risk.
The Browns are also transitioning to a new head coach in Todd Monken, who arrives from Baltimore with a specific vision for how he wants his offense to run, and what kind of defensive front he needs keeping him honest in practice.
Cleveland’s defensive line room now projects to include Kamara alongside Mason Graham and Kalia Davis, with competition from other depth pieces still to be finalized heading into training camp.
Specifically, this signing represents a chance for Kamara to finally hold a roster spot for a full season without interruption. He has shown flashes across three years in the organization.
Now at 28 and entering a more stable stretch of his career, the next step is translating that consistency in practice and situational play into something more permanent. His place on the Week 1 roster is not guaranteed, but he has earned the right to compete for it.