Jerome Baker Bio
Jerome Baker is an American professional football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft. A veteran defender known for his sideline-to-sideline range, Baker has built his career on consistent tackling and a growing pass-rushing presence.
Early Life and Background
Jerome Baker was born on December 25, 1996, in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up in the same city where he would eventually launch his professional career, attending Benedictine High School in Cleveland. At Benedictine, he was a member of the 2014 State Championship football team and was widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the state.
He was considered the number two recruit in Ohio for the class of 2015. Baker originally committed to the University of Florida to play college football, but later changed his commitment to Ohio State University. The decision to remain closer to home set the stage for his development under one of the most recognized defensive programs in college football.
Path to American Football
Baker played at Ohio State from 2015 to 2017, appearing in 33 games with 25 starts across his college career. During his three seasons, he recorded 159 tackles, seven sacks, and two interceptions, establishing himself as a reliable every-down linebacker. He was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in both 2016 and 2017, the two seasons in which he served as a full-time starter.
After his junior season in 2017, Baker decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2018 NFL draft. On January 8, 2018, he released a statement on his Twitter account announcing his decision to leave Ohio State early. He then attended the NFL Scouting Combine, where he completed the majority of drills before participating in additional workouts at Ohio State’s pro day on March 22, 2018.
Jerome Baker Career
Early Career (2018)
The Miami Dolphins selected Baker in the third round with the 73rd overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, making him the tenth linebacker taken that year. He was reunited in Miami with former Ohio State teammate Raekwon McMillan. On June 2, 2018, the Dolphins signed Baker to a four-year, $3.80 million contract that included a signing bonus of $975,200.
Baker competed throughout training camp for the starting strongside linebacker role. Head coach Adam Gase named Baker and Kiko Alonso the starting outside linebackers to open the regular season. He made his professional regular-season debut and first career start against the Tennessee Titans, recording six combined tackles in a 27–20 victory. Baker finished his rookie season with 79 combined tackles, three pass deflections, three sacks, one interception, and one touchdown in 16 games with 11 starts.
Miami Dolphins Breakthrough (2018–2023)
Baker quickly became a fixture in the Dolphins’ defense. In 2019, he posted 126 tackles, four passes defensed, two forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks, and one interception. The following year, he opened the season with a team-high 16 tackles, a sack of Cam Newton, and a forced fumble against the New England Patriots, and later recorded 2.5 sacks of Patrick Mahomes in a Week 14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
On June 13, 2021, Baker signed a three-year, $39 million contract extension with the Dolphins, cementing his role as a defensive cornerstone. He spent his next several seasons serving as one of Miami’s primary linebackers before being placed on injured reserve on January 9, 2024. He was released by the team on March 5, 2024, after contract negotiations at the NFL Combine failed to produce a new deal.
Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans Era (2024)
On March 16, 2024, Baker signed with the Seattle Seahawks. He was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list in mid-July before being activated after passing his physical. Baker appeared in five games for Seattle, producing 37 tackles, one sack, two pass deflections, and a fumble recovery.
On October 23, 2024, Baker was traded along with a 2025 fourth-round draft pick to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for linebacker Ernest Jones. With Tennessee, he appeared in five games and recorded 24 tackles, one sack, and two pass deflections. The two 2024 stops allowed Baker to demonstrate his versatility as a veteran defender on two different rosters in a single calendar year.
Cleveland Browns Era (2025–Present)
On March 24, 2025, Baker signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns, returning to the city where he grew up. His agreement followed a contract window running from 2025 through 2026. The homecoming gave Baker a chance to contribute to a defense in the midst of a roster transition.
Baker finished the 2025 season with 1.5 sacks and 40 total tackles, including 11 solo stops. His role with the Browns positioned him as a rotational veteran presence, offering leadership and tackling reliability in the middle of the field.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of Baker’s career came in 2020, when he recorded 2.5 sacks of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, including a sack that resulted in a 30-yard loss. That same season, he opened with a 16-tackle performance against the New England Patriots. His interception of Eli Manning in 2019 and his rookie-year pick-six further highlighted his ability to impact the passing game from the linebacker position.
Jerome Baker Career Wins
Jerome Baker’s career has been defined by steady production rather than championship hardware. Across his NFL tenure, he has accumulated 688 total tackles, 26 sacks, nine forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 25 pass deflections, five interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns. Those numbers reflect a linebacker capable of contributing in run support, pass coverage, and as a blitzer.
NFL Career Highlights
Baker’s most productive seasons came during his Dolphins tenure, including a 126-tackle campaign in 2019 and a multi-sack performance against the Chiefs in 2020. His first career interception came in 2018 against the New York Jets, and he has since added four more picks. His 26 career sacks demonstrate his growth from a coverage-focused college player into a well-rounded professional linebacker.
Other Performances
Beyond his primary stops, Baker has produced productive stretches in short stints, including 37 tackles in five games with the Seattle Seahawks in 2024 and 24 tackles in five games with the Tennessee Titans later that same year. His 2025 campaign with the Cleveland Browns added another 40 tackles and 1.5 sacks to his career ledger.
Jerome Baker Family
Personal Life
Jerome Baker is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and has deep ties to the community where he was born and raised. He attended Benedictine High School before continuing his football career at Ohio State. Public details about his broader family and personal relationships are not widely documented in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Jerome Baker’s 2025 season marked his return to Cleveland as a member of the Browns after a whirlwind 2024 that included time with two different teams. Signed to a one-year contract in March, he quickly integrated into the Browns’ linebacker rotation. The opportunity represented a homecoming for a player who grew up in the same city where he now worked.
On the field, Baker finished the year with 1.5 sacks and 40 total tackles, including 11 solo stops. His production contributed to a Cleveland defense in transition, providing veteran know-how alongside younger defenders. Although the Browns’ season was not a playoff one, Baker’s reliability served as a stabilizing factor in the linebacker room.
Looking ahead, Baker is signed through 2026, giving him a runway to continue contributing in Cleveland. His experience across multiple defensive schemes, combined with his familiarity with the city, position him as a steady presence for the Browns heading into the next phase of his career.
