When the Browns take the field against the Saints in Week 11, their defensive line will have a slightly different look to it.
After the Browns traded DE Za'Darius Smith to the Lions at the trade deadline, it left an opening at defensive end. Now, second-year defensive end Isaiah McGuire has an opportunity to step into a larger role in the second half of the season after serving in a backup role throughout the season behind Smith.
"Truthfully, believe it's a blessing from God," McGuire said. "Definitely have had a journey here, but also got the opportunity to learn from (Za'Darius Smith), whether it was on the field or off the field. So, it's truly a blessing to go out there and play more."
In his first two seasons with the Browns, he has played in a limited role on defense and special teams. McGuire played in four games during his rookie season in 2023, earning one start. He recorded six tackles, two tackles for loss, three pressures, two quarterback hits and a sack. He played a total of 94 defensive snaps and 22 special teams snaps in 2023.
Through the first nine games of the 2024 season, McGuire has played in eight games. He's recorded 17 tackles, three tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, a forced fumble and half of a sack. He's also added two pressures and one quarterback hurry. He's played a total of 172 defensive snaps this season and 25 special teams snaps.
Over the last year and half since he was selected by the Browns in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, he's worked and waited for his opportunity to have a larger role on the defense.
"I'd definitely say it was difficult, but I truly believe that God allows things to happen in order for you to learn something," McGuire said. "In that I learned other aspects of the league that's not really talked about. Not a lot of people talk about those that are inactive. And in that, I learned a different perspective and a different appreciation, but also, I believe that God allowed that to happen to me for the future when I'm a veteran, when I get to where I want to get to, and I can help a younger guy who's going through that to say keep striving, keep pushing."
In his first two seasons in the league, McGuire has learned from veterans on the defensive line like Smith, DE Myles Garrett and DE Ogbo Okoronkwo. He watched their practice reps translate to success on the field.
He's picked up little details about the game of football from teammates like Smith, Okoronkwo and Garrett, like noticing the center slide or recognizing different backfield formations, which have allowed him and the defense to diagnose plays before they happen.
"Ogbo (also) brought a lot of knowledge when I first came in and I first met him," McGuire said. "He's played with a lot of great players and he's a great player himself. So, small stuff such as key points of the get off – whatever that may be – and backfield sets, pass rush ability."
Garrett has taken McGuire under his wing as he's acclimated to the NFL the last two seasons. In doing so, McGuire said he's learned the importance of how to carry himself on and off the field, and of holding himself to a professional standard from Garrett's mentorship.
As the Browns work through the new look of their defensive line and who fills the spot left by Smith in the starting lineup, defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire has seen the potential of McGuire as a pass rusher.
McGuire said Cesaire has helped him build a repertoire of moves in order to be a successful pass rusher in the NFL. Through repetition in practice, he's worked to instill those moves and can use the work he put in during practice into games.
During the offseason program and throughout training camp, Cesaire took notice of the level of hunger and tenacity McGuire plays with while out on the field. He knew when McGuire earned an opportunity, he would take advantage of it and have success. McGuire earned that opportunity in Week 4 against the Raiders, when he forced a fumble against Raiders RB Zamir White on a short yardage play and S Rodney McLeod scooped up to return for a touchdown.
His opportunities to impact the defense could be on the rise in the final eight regular season games.
"Isaiah is a heck of a pass rusher. He's slippery, he does his thing," Cesaire said on Oct. 4. "With Isaiah, he's continually growing. He's continually developing, always staying after practice, getting a little extra work, coming to me, asking for film, such as so he knows exactly what he needs to do in the game. So, I'm really excited about his development and what he can do for us in the near future."
