Jerome Baker

Jerome Baker Bio

Jerome Baker is an American professional football linebacker who currently plays for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He was born on December 25, 1996, in Cleveland, Ohio, and has built a reputation as a versatile and productive linebacker across seven seasons in the NFL. Baker played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes before being selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Over his career, he has established himself as a reliable defender with strong tackling ability and pass-rushing skills, accumulating significant statistics while moving through multiple franchises.

Early Life and Background

Jerome Baker grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where he attended Benedictine High School. At Benedictine, he quickly emerged as an exceptional football talent, becoming a key member of the 2014 State Championship football team. His outstanding high school performance made him one of the most sought-after recruits in the country, and he was ranked as the number two recruit in the state of Ohio for the class of 2015. Baker originally committed to play college football at the University of Florida but later changed his commitment to Ohio State University, where he would continue his football development at the collegiate level.

Path to the NFL

At Ohio State University, Baker played for the Buckeyes from 2015 to 2017, immediately making an impact as a defensive player. Over his three seasons with the program, he appeared in 33 games with 25 starts, recording 159 tackles, seven sacks, and two interceptions. His consistent performance earned him recognition, including Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors in both 2016 and 2017, years in which he served as a full-time starter. After his junior season in 2017, Baker made the decision to forgo his senior year of eligibility and enter the 2018 NFL Draft, following an impressive college career that had prepared him for the professional level.

Jerome Baker Career

Pre-Draft and Miami Dolphins Selection (2018)

Leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft, Baker underwent the standard pre-draft evaluation process. He announced his decision to enter the draft on January 8, 2018, via social media. He attended the NFL Scouting Combine and performed most drills, though he chose to skip the short shuttle and three-cone drill. At Ohio State’s pro day on March 22, he completed those remaining drills and positional work. Baker visited with several teams during pre-draft evaluations, including the Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, and Jacksonville Jaguars. NFL analysts projected him as a third or fourth-round pick, and he was ranked as high as seventh among linebackers by Sports Illustrated. The Miami Dolphins ultimately selected Baker in the third round with the 73rd overall pick, reuniting him with former Ohio State teammate Raekwon McMillan. He signed a four-year contract worth $3.80 million with a signing bonus of $975,200 on June 2, 2018.

Miami Dolphins Breakthrough (2018–2023)

Baker entered training camp competing for the starting strongside linebacker position that had been vacated by Lawrence Timmons. Head coach Adam Gase named Baker and Kiko Alonso the starting outside linebackers to begin the regular season, alongside middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan. He made his professional debut and first career start in the Dolphins’ season opener against the Tennessee Titans, recording six combined tackles in a 27-20 victory. Throughout his rookie season, Baker showed consistent improvement, accumulating 79 combined tackles, three sacks, one interception, and one touchdown in 16 games with 11 starts. His performance earned him a Pro Football Focus grade of 70.3, ranking 29th among qualified linebackers in 2018.

The 2019 season saw Baker emerge as a more established defender, recording 126 tackles, four passes defensed, two forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks, and one interception. He continued to develop his skills and became a reliable presence in the Dolphins’ defense. In 2020, Baker continued his solid play, including a notable Week 1 performance against the New England Patriots where he recorded a team-high 16 tackles and sacked quarterback Cam Newton. He also recorded a standout game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14, leading the team with nine tackles and recording 2.5 sacks on Patrick Mahomes during a close loss. Baker’s consistent production earned him a significant contract extension, as the Dolphins signed him to a three-year, $39 million deal on June 13, 2021. He remained a starter throughout the 2021 and 2022 seasons before the Dolphins placed him on injured reserve on January 9, 2024, and subsequently released him on March 5, 2024.

Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans (2024)

Following his release from Miami, Baker signed with the Seattle Seahawks on March 16, 2024. He joined the team for the 2024 season but began training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, being placed there on July 18, 2024. He passed his physical and was activated on July 23, 2024. Baker appeared in five games with the Seahawks, recording 37 tackles, one sack, two pass deflections, and one fumble recovery before his tenure ended. In October 2024, he was traded to the Tennessee Titans in a deal that sent him and a 2025 fourth-round draft pick to Tennessee in exchange for Ernest Jones. With the Titans, Baker appeared in five games, accumulating 24 tackles, one sack, and two pass deflections to finish the 2024 season.

Cleveland Browns Era (2025–Present)

Baker signed with his hometown Cleveland Browns on March 24, 2025, bringing him back to the city where he grew up and attended high school. The one-year contract marked a homecoming for the Cleveland native. Baker finished the 2025 season with 1.5 sacks and 40 total tackles (11 solo) as he worked to establish himself within the Browns’ defensive scheme.

Playing Style and Strengths

Baker is known for his versatility as a linebacker, capable of playing multiple positions in the Dolphins’ defensive system. His strengths include strong tackling ability, consistent pursuit to the ball carrier, and effective pass-rushing skills. He has demonstrated the capacity to make plays both against the run and in coverage, contributing regularly to the pass rush while maintaining his responsibilities in the middle of the defense. His football IQ, developed through his Ohio State background and professional experience, has allowed him to quickly adapt to different defensive schemes throughout his career with multiple teams.

Notable Events and Milestones

Throughout his career, Baker has accumulated several notable achievements. His selection in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft marked the beginning of a journey that would see him become a consistent starter at the professional level. His 2018 rookie season established him as a capable NFL linebacker, while his 2021 contract extension valued at $39 million represented a significant recognition of his contributions. His return to Cleveland in 2025 with the Browns completed a full circle for the Ohio native, who began his football journey at Benedictine High School in the same city.

Jerome Baker Career Statistics

Across his NFL career through the 2025 season, Baker has established himself as a productive linebacker with impressive tackle numbers and consistent pass-rushing contributions. His career statistics reflect his reliability and ability to make plays across multiple facets of the defensive game.

NFL Career Highlights

Baker has appeared in over 100 career games since entering the NFL in 2018. His rookie season immediately demonstrated his potential, as he recorded 79 tackles, three sacks, and his first career interception with a touchdown. His 2019 season saw a significant jump in production to 126 tackles, establishing him as a featured defender. The extension he signed with Miami in 2021 validated his standing as a starting-caliber linebacker in the league. Throughout his time with Miami, Seattle, Tennessee, and Cleveland, Baker has accumulated career totals that include 688 tackles, 26 sacks, nine forced fumbles, five interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns.

Season-by-Season Notes

His most productive seasons came during his tenure with the Miami Dolphins, where he served as a full-time starter from 2018 through 2023. The 2019 and 2020 seasons represented the peak of his statistical output, with the 2020 campaign featuring memorable performances against elite quarterbacks including Cam Newton and Patrick Mahomes. His 2024 season was abbreviated due to mid-season trades, limiting his overall numbers with Seattle and Tennessee combined.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked a new chapter in Jerome Baker’s career as he returned to his hometown to play for the Cleveland Browns. Signing with the Browns in March 2025, Baker worked to carve out a role within the team’s defensive rotation. His familiarity with the area from his youth and high school career at Benedictine provided a comfortable transition as he joined a new franchise. The season presented challenges typical of a player adapting to a new defensive system, but Baker’s experience from seven previous NFL seasons helped him contribute meaningfully. He finished the season with 1.5 sacks and 40 total tackles, demonstrating his continued ability to make plays at the linebacker position. Looking ahead, Baker aims to build upon his 2025 performance and establish himself as a consistent contributor within the Browns’ defense for future seasons.