Cleveland reportedly met with free agent linebacker Jerome Baker, who played with the Titans and Seahawks in 2024.
The Cleveland Browns are nearing the end of the second week of free agency with apparently no rest in sight for general manager Andrew Berry.
Not satisfied with a Thursday where the club re-signed key special teamer and sometimes cornerback Tony Brown and added veteran offensive guard Teven Jenkins, Berry found time to coordinate a visit with linebacker Jerome Baker, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Veteran LB Jerome Baker visited the #Browns.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 20, 2025
Originally a third-round selection of the Miami Dolphins in 2018, Baker spent six seasons with the Dolphins. He was released by Miami right before the start of free agency in 2024 but sign with the Seattle Seahawks shortly after.
Baker’s stay in the Pacific Northwest was a short one, however, as he played in just five games for the Seahawks before being traded to the Tennessee Titans, where he closed out the season by playing in an additional five games.
Signing with the Browns would represent a homecoming for Baker as he played at Benedictine High School in Cleveland before heading off to Ohio State for college.
Baker reflected on playing in Cleveland when the Browns hosted the Dolphins for a game in 2019, according to miamidolphins.com:
“On a personal level, it’s going to feel different for me. Just to know how many people are in the stands. I think you all know I look to see who’s in the stands. I’m excited just to see my family. To see them watch me play is going to mean a lot. I just want to go out there and just get a win in front of them.”
Unfortunately for Baker, but happily for his family members who are Cleveland fans, the Dolphins lost to the Browns that day, 41-24, as quarterback Baker Mayfield lit up Miami’s defense with 327 passing yards and three touchdowns.
All told, Baker has played in 104 games in his seven seasons in the league, making 90 starts, and has 648 tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 49 quarterback hits, and 24.5 sacks.
The news that the Browns are talking with Baker could be another sign that the team is not confident about the availability of linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who suffered a season-ending neck injury last October against the Baltimore Ravens.
The team previously re-signed linebacker Devin Bush, but have yet to make another move to add anyone to a linebacker room that includes Bush, Jordan Hicks, Mohamoud Diabate, and Winston Reid.