‘Just doing my job’: Baron Browning making strides in Cardinals’ system after midseason trade
Dec 21, 2024, 2:15 PM
On Nov. 3, Baron Browning was taking defensive snaps for the Denver Broncos in Baltimore. A trade and five games later and the 25-year-old linebacker is contributing to an Arizona Cardinals’ playoff push.
The 6-foot-3 Ohio State product simply got his feet wet under defensive coordinator Nick Rallis in a 31-6 win against the New York Jets (18 snaps, two quarterback pressures), but has begun to play a more significant role. Browning mastered the New England Patriots’ offensive line last Sunday, getting to rookie quarterback Drake Maye for his first sack of 2024. He also had two tackles for a loss in the 30-17 victory that moved Arizona to 5-3 at State Farm Stadium and 7-7 on the season.
Besides knowing pass rusher Jesse Luketa and offensive tackle Paris Johnson, Browning told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Friday that he was shipped to Glendale without any real connections.
“This is my first time going through (being traded), so it was pretty difficult,” Browning said. “As the days went on, I kind of filled in more and more, so I feel more comfortable with my new team and my teammates.”
Baron Browning with his first sack as a Cardinals & a good sack celebration dance 🤣
— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) December 15, 2024
And Browning has reason to feel comfortable rushing the opposing quarterback, as he is now one of 16 Cardinal defenders to have at least one sack. Dante Stills (4.5 sacks) remains the categorical leader despite not wrapping up a signal caller since Week 12 versus Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks. LJ Collier keeps the sack race an open one with 3.5, with three coming in the team’s recent road trip to Seattle and Minnesota.
Through five games, Browning has now logged 134 snaps and recorded nine total tackles alongside 12 quarterback pressures. He has fired off the ball at least 30 times in three of the past four games.
Browning admittedly said he is still getting a feel for Rallis’ system, but just wants to keep “doing (his) job,” which is creating mayhem in the backfield. The Forth Worth, Texas native who spent three-plus seasons in Denver did have an earlier connection to Rallis, speaking with the young coach leading up to being a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
“It’s pretty cool to have a full-circle moment and finally have the opportunity to play for him and (coach Jonathan Gannon),” Browning said.
Gannon is undoubtedly a defensive coach but Browning said he thinks the 41-year-old’s energy brings out a great response from the entire team.
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Down both Mack Wilson Sr. and Luketa with the Carolina Panthers up next, Browning said the defense has to embrace a “next man up” mentality and trust their depth. Linebacker Milo Eifler was brought up from the practice squad with Luketa placed on injured reserve Friday. Luketa’s absence makes it a trio (also BJ Ojulari and Dennis Gardeck) of pass disrupters to find themselves on the IR.
With their postseason firmly on life support, Xavier Thomas and Owen Pappoe will be asked to step up their contributions. Thomas has seen his fair share of action this season, taking 160 snaps across 11 games, not far behind Luketa who has 188 snaps in 10, according to Pro Football Focus. The same can’t be said of Pappoe, who has only gotten 103 snaps behind Wilson (48.1 snaps per game over all 14 games) at inside linebacker.
With or without key defensive pieces, Browning said they can’t take Carolina (3-11) lightly.
“They’ve been losing pretty close games, so honestly I think they have a good team and they know how to make plays with the guys they have,” Browning said. “I feel like Bryce (Young), he’s getting more comfortable back there and he plays with confidence. … You got to prepare the same way no matter who you’re playing.”
Young, the No.1 pick from the 2023 Draft, has shown strides of improvement since a horrific four-game start to the season (eight touchdowns, six picks in his last seven games). His slipperiness in the pocket and trending form, however, is not Browning’s concern. He laughed when asked what adjustments the defense would be making.
“That’s a question for the (defensive coordinator),” Browning said. “I focus on doing my job at a high level.”
Having a fully loaded safety like Budda Baker has been another positive to Browning’s Arizona experience. Like the Cardinals’ front office made clear with a three-year extension, Browning was not alone in saying the veteran’s “high-motor” playing style is contagious and an invaluable cog in the team’s defensive machine.
The former Buckeye said he will keeping tabs on the College Football Playoff, as Ohio State hosts Tennessee in the first round at 6 p.m. on ESPN.
“I think we’re going to get it done,” Browning said. “Fingers crossed.”
