Hicks makes a stuffing tackle in 2023.

Meet Jordan Hicks, new 'quarterback' of Browns defense

Off-season
March 11, 2024•2 min read

Joining The Cleveland Browns

  • Contract: 2-year, $8 million agreement signed on March 11, 2024

  • Role: Replacing inside linebacker and captain Anthony Walker, joins a transitioning Browns defensive roster

  • Reunion: Rejoins Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. The two won a Super Bowl in Philadelphia in 2018.

Playing Style On The Field

  • Erik Kendricks (former teammate): "He's a football guy. He understands the game well and communicates well. I mean, I feel like there's not much that Jordan Hicks doesn't do well. He never gets enough credit for that, either."

  • Troy Dye (former teammate): "You can tell he's just a natural leader. He's been in the league awhile, had played for two different teams already, so he knew how to fit into different locker rooms. He's definitely the mold of guys we have here – a very outgoing person, very smart, selfless, wants to help everyone around him be better. He fit in perfectly."

  • Hicks on Leadership: "I don't try to waver who I am. Whether I'm out there starting or whether I'm not, I'm going to help whoever needs help, because I feel like I've got a lot of knowledge to share."

  • Hicks on his Appreciation for the Game: "I've been through a lot of scenarios that have felt like it could potentially be closer to the end of my career than the beginning. And now, more is behind me than ahead. I think it's allowed me to truly appreciate just being out there, messing around on the field and the small things of being with the guys."

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Career Highlights and Achievements

  • Drafted: 3rd round selection by Philadelphia (84th overall)

  • Experience: Philadelphia (4 seasons), Arizona (3 seasons), Minnesota (2 seasons)

  • Recent Performance: 107 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception in 13 games

  • Pro Football Focus Score: 74.6 (2023), Career PFF Average: 69.4

Personal Background

  • Age: 31 years old

  • College: University of Texas (28 starts in 45 games)

  • Accolades: Lombardi, Nagursky, and Butkus Award Watch Lists

  • NFL Combine: 3rd best in vertical and broad jumps for LBs

  • Draft scouting report: Projected Round 4-5 selection. "Despite all the injuries, including a torn Achilles that ended his junior season against Kansas State in the season's fourth game, Hicks still managed to maintain most or perhaps even all of the athleticism that made him such an elite prospect out of high school. As a result, once he became comfortable in [Mack] Strong's schemes, he was able to create the interceptions that eluded him until this season." (via BurntOrangeNation.com)

  • High school: Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio)

  • Family: Married with 3 kids

Now that the Browns have replaced Anthony Walker, fans should keep an eye on the team's replacement for Sione Takitaki, who signed with New England. Andrew Berry also needs to decide if he'll bring back unrestricted free agents Jacob Phillips, as well as backups Matthew Adams and Jordan Kunaszyk.

Photo credit and Vikings quotes: Minnesota Vikings official website.

Jordan HickslinebackerNFLfree agencycleveland brownsminnesota vikingsjim schwartz
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