For better or worse, money will be the sole motivator in the decisions some people make in their lives. Sometimes it works out, other times it doesn't. It became clear on Thursday that one former member of the Houston Texans' decision to chase the money proved to be nothing more than that.
Before diving any deeper, it is worth noting that the money exchanged in these NFL contracts can be life-changing for an individual and their family. The average length of an NFL career makes it almost imperative to strike while the iron is hot, from a financial perspective. Any Texans fan would feel the same if they were placed in those shoes, so despite things not working out, it is hard to fault the veteran for the decision he made.
Former Texans Edge Rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo Released by Browns
Ogbo Okoronkwo had a relatively short tenure with the Texans, spending one season in Houston. He just happened to play the best football of his career as a member of the organization, recording 44 total tackles, five quarterback sacks, 11 quarterback hits, and nine tackles for loss in 17 appearances, including eight starts.
That production ultimately led to the Cleveland Browns extending a three-year, $19 million offer to the defensive end in March of 2023, which he accepted. Thursday, Okoronkwo learned that he would not see the end of that contract as the Browns announced he had been released.
#Browns have released edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo and signed kicker Andre Szmyt, the club announced.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) June 26, 2025
Over his two years in Cleveland, Okoronkwo never matched the production he enjoyed with the Texans and regressed this past season, despite appearing in two more games. Now, on the wrong side of 30 years old, the former fifth-round pick out of the University of Oklahoma must find a new home within the NFL, and he will be on a bit of a time crunch to do so as training camps open across the league in a matter of weeks.
It is hard to envision Houston being the landing spot that Okoronkwo now seeks, as the Texans have no real need for another edge rusher. Someone will undoubtedly sign him, however. Perhaps this time around, the veteran will make a choice based on the best positional fit for him rather than anything else.