mohamoud diabate is headed to Tennessee after Cleveland chose not to tender the young linebacker as a restricted free agent earlier this month. The agreement came to light as the Browns’ inside linebacker depth picture tightened and the Titans continued adding defensive pieces. As of 3: 23 PM ET on March 23, 2026, contract terms have not been disclosed.
Deal snapshot: Browns let Mohamoud Diabate walk, Titans add depth
The Cleveland Browns opted not to tender restricted free agent mohamoud diabate earlier this month, clearing the way for him to reach an agreement with the Tennessee Titans. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero said the 24-year-old linebacker agreed to terms with Tennessee.
For Cleveland, the choice stood out because the team had several restricted free agents entering the new league year and tendered only one: safety Ronnie Hickman. The move effectively ended mohamoud diabate’s run with the Browns after multiple seasons in which he carved out a role and earned starting opportunities.
For Tennessee, the signing is framed as another step in building out defensive depth. mohamoud diabate arrives with experience, durability, and past starting work, giving the Titans another option at linebacker who can contribute on defense and special teams.
Why Cleveland’s linebacker depth suddenly looks thinner
The Browns’ biggest roster needs are described as being on offense, but this departure puts a sharper spotlight on the defense—specifically inside linebacker. Cleveland’s off-ball linebacker group has already undergone change, with the Browns swapping Devin Bush for Quincy Williams. The group is led by reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger, but the depth behind him is now under heavier scrutiny.
Cleveland’s best-case depth scenario would include Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah returning healthy and fully cleared after a serious neck injury suffered in 2024. That possibility remains uncertain, and the current remaining inside linebacker options behind Schwesinger and Williams are described as special teamer Easton Mascarenas-Arnold plus Edefuan Ulofoshio, Nathaniel Watson, and Winston Reid—three players who did not play a snap in 2025.
That backdrop is why the decision not to keep mohamoud diabate on what is characterized as a potentially inexpensive deal is being viewed by observers as a confusing roster choice at a position where immediate depth can matter.
What Titans get, what Browns lose, and what happens next
mohamoud diabate joins Tennessee after three seasons in Cleveland, where he appeared in 46 games and made 18 starts. He started 11 games in 2024 and six more last season. His playing time and role declined in 2025, but he still appeared in all 17 contests. In 2024, he posted 70 tackles and multiple pass breakups.
Financial details of the agreement have not been released, and no official timeline was provided for next steps such as reporting dates. Still, the direction is clear: Tennessee is adding another athletic linebacker option while Cleveland is left with a thinner depth chart than it had before mohamoud diabate agreed to terms elsewhere.
Next for the Browns, attention turns to roster building and the 2026 draft. Cleveland holds nine selections, and linebacker is now positioned as a priority after the club addresses other needs—most notably offensive tackle and wide receiver. Draft targets mentioned in the current discussion include Georgia’s CJ Allen and Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez as early as Day 2, while the idea of using the No. 6 overall pick on Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles is noted as unlikely but not impossible.
