Browns Linebacker Anthony Walker Unsure On Future With Team

As the Browns season came to a close by way of a 45-14, Wild Card round loss to the Houston Texans, they now brace for an offseason that will bring plenty of difficult decisions for executive VP of football operations and general manager Andrew Berry.

One such decision centers around the Browns defensive captain, LB Anthony Walker Jr., who signed a one-year deal last offseason to return to Cleveland. He faces a similar situation this spring, as he dives back into unrestricted free agency. Whether or not he'll be back in Northeast Ohio is very much unclear.

"Anytime I'm able to play this game of football, wherever it is, I'm gonna take that opportunity and run with it, whether that's here or anywhere else," Walker said Sunday. "Those decisions aren't up to me. So, you know, that's my agent, that's the front office, here in this building or anywhere else. So whatever that opportunity is, and wherever I do have the opportunity to play football next year, I'm gonna take that opportunity and be the best player that I can be, whether that's here or anywhere else."

Walker Jr. is no stranger to going through a change scenery in this league. After spending the first four years of his career with Indanapolis, he wasn't retained by the Colts and signed a two-year deal with Cleveland in 2021. After his 2021 campaign was cut short due to a quad injury suffered in Weel 3, Walker Jr. re-signed with the Browns last spring. His return came with the hinor of being voted a captain by his teammates. 

Unfortunately, the 28-year-old saw his season cut short again due to injury as a knee injury suffered at practice ahead of Week 15 ultimately required surgery and landed him on the IR ahead of the playoffs. It was an unfortunate end to a solid season that saw Walker Jr. amass 44 tackles, one tackle for loss, two QB hits, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 13 games. Over his three seasons with the Browns this far, he's totaled 170 tackles including seven for a loss. 

While Walker Jr. expressed admiration for the city of Cleveland and its loyal fan base, he seemed to hint that he didn't necessarily always feel supported by the fans as he dealt with multiple injuries. 

"Man, Cleveland is a football town through or through," Walker Jr. said. "When you're playing good, they got your back and you know, and when things not going well ... you know. You never want to say, they kicked me when I was down or anything like that, or they're negative or anything, I think they're very passionate fan base. And that grows you as a player, right?" 

That's not to say it was all bad, in fact, there's been a lot more good from Walker Jr.'s perspective, especially off the field. The seven-year veteran has served as the Stay In The Game! Attendance Network Ambassador, making him the face of Browns Foundation's main philanthropic program. The role has allowed Walker Jr. to interactive with dozens of students and families in the Cleveland community, helping make acceptance the overall experience a positive one.

"I"m thankful the city accepted me," he said. "You know, a lot of people went into town or whatever, really, really showed a lot of love. And I'm very grateful for that." 

Walker Jr. is one of a number of key free agents the Browns will contemplate bringing back this offseason. If this is truly the end of his time in Cleveland, he'd leave having left an lasting impact on the community but also on his teammates. As has been on display all year, Walker Jr.'s leadership and presence were paramount to the team's success in 2023.