Dawgs By Nature
Browns commitment to Diontae Johnson in free agency is made clear with his contract details
Earlier in the offseason, a pretty wild “rumor” started to swirl about the Cleveland Browns trading for QB Dak Prescott. We noted then that with almost everything in the NFL, contracts and the details of those contracts are important when you are trying to understand what is being rumored or reported.
DE Myles Garrett’s huge new contract was one reason we didn’t expect DE Abdul Carter to be the Browns selection with the second overall pick. Too many assets devoted to one position.
With free agent signings, guaranteed money and when bonuses are due are really the only pieces of information that matter. When reports came out, and have since been confirmed, that WR Diontae Johnson was signing in Cleveland, we knew the details surrounding his one-year contract would be crucial.
Now that we have those contract details, it is clear that the Browns are willing to give Johnson a shot to revitalize his career, but nothing more than that:
Johnson played for three different teams last year after spending his first five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers had signed Johnson to a two-year, $36.71 million extension in 2022, then traded him to the Carolina Panthers a year and a half later.
The Baltimore Ravens acquired Johnson in a midseason trade last year but the receiver was unhappy with his role, which led to him being released and signing with the Houston Texans.
That rough season limited Johnson’s suitors and gives the Browns a no-risk look at a receiver who is under 30 years old, had over 50 catches each of his first five seasons before falling off in 2024.
Johnson’s contract makes it clear that the receiver must be on his best behavior and that Cleveland has nothing invested, besides a roster spot, if 2024 was a sign of what they will get in 2025.
Do the details of Johnson’s contract change what you think about the Browns signing him? Are you surprised, given his success before last year, that he signed with no money guaranteed?
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