Browns Cut DE Okoronkwo, Bring Back Kicker Andre Szmyt

The Cleveland Browns released defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo on Thursday and re-signed kicker Andre Szmyt as they continue to rework the roster ahead of next month’s training camp. Okoronkwo, 30, had one season left on the three-year, $19 million deal he agreed in 2023. The move frees about $3.4 million in cap space and leaves $1.95 million in dead money. A former fifth-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams, Okoronkwo produced 4.5 sacks for Cleveland in 2023 and three in 2024. Szmyt, 26, returns after spending part of last season on the Browns’ practice squad and kicking for the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks. He will compete in camp with incumbent Dustin Hopkins, who struggled in 2024. Separately, the Browns announced eight new hires and seven promotions across their football operations department, including James Cook as senior director of player development and Adam Al-Khayyal as director of player personnel.