Former Browns Pass Rusher Just Landed A Big Payday

The Cleveland Browns came up empty in their search for an edge rusher at the recent NFL trade deadline. But one of their former players at the position is cashing in with another team.

According to insiders Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport, Cameron Thomas has reached an agreement on a contract extension with the Atlanta Falcons. The three-year deal is worth up to $33 million.

Analyst Fred Greetham relayed the news that the former Browns pass rusher just landed a big payday.

“Former Browns edge rusher,” Greetham posted in relaying the report.

Former #Browns edge rusher https://t.co/nbt2uBlNqJ

— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) November 13, 2026

Thomas has come a long way since he was claimed by the Browns off waivers in November 2024. He left as a free agent this offseason and signed a one-year, $3.1 million contract with the Falcons, reuniting with former Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski.

This season, Thomas earned his big raise with 2.0 sacks and 25 combined tackles in nine games. Those numbers are already very close to the career highs of 2.5 sacks and 28 combined tackles he posted with the Browns in 17 games last season.

Thomas was a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. He played 32 games over two seasons for them before he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs near cutdown day in 2024. He played four games for them before being waived. For his career, Thomas has 8.5 sacks, 104 combined tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 27 quarterback hits in 67 games (12 starts).

The Browns have been looking for better production from their edge rushers this season, particularly with newcomer Jared Verse yet to produce a sack. Defensive tackle Mason Graham leads the team with 4.0, but he has not had one since Week 3. It would have been interesting to see if Thomas could have performed as he did with the Falcons had the Browns decided to re-sign him at what turned out to be a bargain price before this extension.

Cleveland will get a chance to see what it’s missing in Week 14, when Thomas and Atlanta visit Huntington Bank Field in what will also be Stefanski’s return game.