Former Browns DT Larry Ogunjobi signs with in-state rival Bengals

The Cleveland Browns will now face Larry Ogunjobi twice in 2021

With the eventful offseason for the Cleveland Browns continuing, it gets a little more interesting.

Free-agent defensive tackle and now former member of the Cleveland Browns, Larry Ogunjobi, has signed a one-year deal with the divisional and in-state rival, Cincinnati Bengals.

The financial details of the deal have yet to be released.

Ogunjobi was the Browns third-round pick, 65th overall, in the 2017 NFL Draft. He spent the past four years with the team, logging 47 starts and 60 total games. His main presence was as a pass rusher, as he was a below-average run defender. Totaling 14.5 sacks over his four years with the team, Ogunjobi was a force to be reckoned with on the inside.

The Charlotte product played in all eight of the Browns’ games against his new team. In his career against the Bengals, Ogunjobi has recorded 30 combined tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. The Browns went 5-3 against the Bengals in his tenure.

In the 15 games he played in 2020, he finished with 46 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Ogunjobi was a fan favorite in Cleveland and the defense will certainly look different without him.

With his departure, it allows second-year player, Jordan Elliott, and seasoned veteran Sheldon Richardson to have more playing time — while also opening the door for a former Bengal, Andrew Billings who opted out of the 2020 season. Ogunjobi played on 60 percent of all defensive snaps for the team in his four-year tenure.

At 26 years old, Ogunjobi still has a long career ahead of him. He was a big part in reinventing this defense and getting the team back to its winning ways. While not as frequently, Browns fans will still get to see him for, at the very least, next year.

A great teammate and a great player, we wish Larry O the best of luck as he’ll always be a member of the Dawg Pound. This just makes the rivalry a little more interesting.