LOCALS IN THE NFL
Report: Sione Takitaki Expected To Re-Sign With Cleveland Browns
SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU Cougars and current Cleveland Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki is expected to re-sign with the only NFL franchise he’s played for, according to May Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
The Browns reporter tweeted about Takitaki and the Browns on Monday, March 13, the opening day of the league’s free agent negotiating period. NFL free agency officially begins on Wednesday, March 15.
“When LB Sione Takitaki agrees to terms with the #Browns over the next few days, it will likely be a one-year deal worth about $2.5 million. He’s coming off of a nice year, but also late-season ACL surgery,” Cabot tweeted.
When LB Sione Takitaki agrees to terms with the #Browns over the next few days, it will likely be a one-year deal worth about $2.5 million. He's coming off of a nice year, but also late-season ACL surgery.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 13, 2023
Takitaki is coming off an ACL injury that he suffered during the Browns’ win over the Houston Texans on December 4, 2022. The injury caused the linebacker to miss the rest of the 2022 season.
A day after the injury, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski discussed what Takitaki meant to the Browns.
“It’s obviously very disappointing,” Stefanski said of the former BYU player. “Playing at a really, really high level for us and playing a lot for us, so disappointing for the young man.”
Takitaki recorded 71 total tackles, 36 solo tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble last season.
RELATED: 2023 Local NFL Free Agency Tracker
Former BYU LB @STakitaki with a strip sack for the second forced fumble of his NFL career. #LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #Browns #CINvsCLE #MNF #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/56uoN4SkiD
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) November 1, 2022
About Sione Takitaki
Prior to this NFL career, Takitaki was a standout linebacker at BYU. He finished his senior campaign with 119 tackles, 75 solo tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and four sacks.
Following his college career, the Browns selected Takitaki with the No. 80 overall pick during the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
“They felt like that me wanting to play in the NFL that they wanted to put me back at linebacker,” Takitaki said after getting drafted by the Browns. “That defensive end spot was great for me too. It helped me out for all of these teams [scouting him] and the Browns definitely took a look at that to show them my versatility.”
During his NFL career, the linebacker has recorded 203 total tackles, 112 solo tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception, one touchdown, and one pass breakup in 57 games played.
🏠 call for @STakitaki!
It’s the first NFL touchdown by the former @BYUfootball linebacker.#LocalsInTheNFL #YACPodcast #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/l993ZBlyFF
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) November 22, 2020
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
