LB Jerome Baker remembers going to the Browns training camp when he was a kid.
When he signed with Cleveland in March, his aunt sent him a photo from when he was around 11 years old attending a Browns practice.
With open training camp practices beginning on July 25, coming from a family that still lives in Cleveland, Baker's family is planning on attending – including his aunt, with whom he wants to recreate the picture from all those years ago.
That opportunity to recreate old memories is not one that he's going to pass up, but neither is the one that fell in his lap when LB Jordan Hicks retired, giving Baker the chance to earn a starting role for his hometown team.
"I know football. I'm fast. I'm explosive, just a short tackler," Baker said. "Those are things I just pride myself on and just understanding football. And that's what I'm leaning on, just the understanding of my experience and just going off of that."
While he's happy that Hicks is leaving on his own terms after a great career, he said he is a bit disappointed because now he is the oldest guy in the linebacker room.
At just 28 years old, though, he's leading a linebacker room with an average age of 24.57. Second-round pick Carson Schwesinger is among the fresh-eyed players just having turned 22 years old in February, leaving a six-year age gap between them and Baker. Alongside Schwesinger, other linebackers like Mohamoud Diabate and Nathaniel Watson are 24, while Winston Reid is 25.
So, although Baker might've not have necessarily known it when he signed on the dotted line in March, he knows it now – he's going to have to be a leader and a teacher in the linebacker room.
"I'm here just to help the young guys," Baker said. "I'm here just to be somebody that they can look up to and learn from, so that's exactly what I'm going to do."
Check out the top shots from Day 3 of 2025 Browns Training Camp as players got to work with drills, workouts and team prep at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (90) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Youth football guests during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Safety Donovan McMillon (31) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Safety Nik Needham (25) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Long snapper Rex Sunahara (50) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (28) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Youth football guests during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Running Backs Coach Duce Staley during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Youth football guests during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Cornerback Chigozie Anusiem (35) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Long snapper Rex Sunahara (50) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Safety Damontae Kazee (23) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
The Linebackers during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
The scenery during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (88) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski and Running Backs Coach Duce Staley during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
The offense during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Chad O'Shea during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (88) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Bill Willis Diversity Fellow Michael Bearden during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Wide receiver Winston Wright (38) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
The linebackers during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Safety Damontae Kazee (23) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (1) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Cornerback Tony Brown II (11) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
A fan during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
A fan during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Fans during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Pads during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Fans during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Kicker Andre Szmyt (47) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Offensive tackle Jackson Barton (68) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77), Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) and Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Wide receiver Kaden Davis (89) and Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Long snapper Brent Matiscik (48), Long snapper Rex Sunahara (50) and Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) and Cornerback LaMareon James (27) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Cornerback Chigozie Anusiem (35) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (28) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during Day 3 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 25, 2025.
For himself, he sees promise in Schwesinger, who has been among the three linebackers going first in drills, someone the Browns also show promise in, drafting him 33rd overall.
Baker's only been his teammate for three months, but he said the UCLA product is going to have a long and successful career, citing that Schwesinger does things the right way.
However, coming from college to the NFL is a big jump and Baker wants to make sure that Schwesinger has someone beside him to help him with the things that aren't X's and O's.
"Just for me, I'm just teaching him how to be a pro in any way I can help him," Baker said. "I'll just say this, he's far along. Further along than a lot of rookies, so he's definitely going to be good."
While Baker didn't know that he'd eventually become the oldest player in the linebacker room when he signed his contract, he did know what defensive scheme he was getting himself into – a key selling point for him coming back home to Cleveland. Under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, the Browns are running an attack penetration style defense, a scheme that allows Baker to play the linebacker position aggressively.
"You just go out and just play, just run, hit guys, and you don't really have to think as much," Baker said. "Just go out there and play ball and have fun and the players will come to you."
In terms of learning the scheme, linebackers coach Jason Tarver is making sure that Baker and the other linebackers in the room are absorbing what's going on. According to Baker, Tarver will ask the linebackers questions during position meetings, keeping Baker fully engaged in the defense and what the Browns are trying to accomplish.
The understanding of the role of the linebackers in their defensive scheme goes back to his knowledge of football.
"It forces you to be engaged," Baker said. "It forces you to really understand the scheme that we're doing. A lot of times, guys come in and you kind of just really know your job. But it's just always good just to know football in general because then you can help yourself when you're on the field of what the offense is trying to do."
Being a Brown is something that Baker dreamed of and now it's his reality. From going to training camp with his aunt to his first jersey being Johnny Manziel's, repping Cleveland is something that means a lot to the native of the city he now plays in.
"This is really home for me, not just because I play for the Cleveland Browns, but this is truly where I grew up, where I was born and raised, and I take pride in that."
