The Cleveland Browns are signing veteran wide receiver Diontae Johnson, a league source confirmed to The Athletic. NFL Network first reported the agreement. Terms of the deal are unknown.
Cleveland marks Johnson’s third stop in the AFC North — he spent the first five years of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and part of last season with the Baltimore Ravens. He visited with the Browns Monday before agreeing to a deal.
Advertisement
Johnson was on the move in 2024 — spending time on four rosters during the NFL calendar year. In March 2024, he was traded from the Steelers to the Panthers. Carolina dealt Johnson to the Ravens in October. In two months with Baltimore, Johnson was suspended one game for “conduct detrimental to the team” after refusing to take the field in Week 13. The Ravens mutually agreed with the player to excuse him from Week 16 activities before releasing him. He latched on with the Texans, where he dressed for two games — including Houston’s wild-card round win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Ahead of the divisional round, Johnson was waived by the Texans.
The 28-year-old wideout (who turns 29 in July) enjoyed his best season in 2021 when he was a Pro Bowl selection with the Steelers. That season he posted career highs in receptions (107), receiving yards (1,161) and touchdowns (eight). Johnson also had three consecutive seasons with at least 80 receptions (from 2020 to 2022). Across three teams in 2024, the 5-foot-10 target had 33 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games — all four marks were single-season career lows for him.
Johnson is the latest addition to a Browns offense that added multiple pieces through last week’s draft. Cleveland used five of its seven picks on that side of the ball but none of the selections were wide receivers. The Browns drafted running backs Quinshon Judkins (second round) and Dylan Sampson (fourth round), tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (third round) and quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel (third round) and Shedeur Sanders (fifth round). Earlier in the offseason, the team added quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett.
After turbulent season, Johnson looks to rebound
Johnson probably has a place in the Browns’ rotation, but how his time in Pittsburgh and Baltimore ended should offer some pause. Wide receiver is a screaming need for the Browns and Johnson is looking for his next opportunity, but this is a strange fit — if it ends up being a fit.
The Browns have two starting wide receivers, Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman. Jeudy is coming off a Pro Bowl season and Tillman showed flashes in his second season before a concussion ended his season. They really don’t have anyone else with real NFL experience, so Johnson should see an opportunity to get his career back on track. — Zac Jackson, Browns beat writer
(Photo: Troy Taormina / Imagn Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Yankees achieve rare historical feat with back-to-back-to-back homer barrage
BALTIMORE — On the one-month anniversary of the club creating a firestorm around the league with their use of torpedo bats in a game in which they scored 20 runs against the Milwaukee Brewers, the New York Yankees celebrated by creating MLB history.The Yankees became the first team to hit three straight home runs to begin a game twice in the same season. On Tuesday, against Baltimore Orioles starter Kyle Gibson, Trent Grisham began the home run bonanza with a leadoff shot that landed on Eutaw Street beyond the right field wall. On the next pitch, Aaron Judge hit his ninth home run of the season, raising his batting average to .407. Designated hitter Ben Rice then followed Judge with a 378-foot home run over the right field wall; Rice later added another home run in the second inning, pushing […]
Yankees achieve rare historical feat with back-to-back-to-back homer barrage
BALTIMORE — On the one-month anniversary of the club creating a firestorm around the league with their use of torpedo bats in a game in which they scored 20 runs against the Milwaukee Brewers, the New York Yankees celebrated by creating MLB history.The Yankees became the first team to hit three straight home runs to begin a game twice in the same season. On Tuesday, against Baltimore Orioles starter Kyle Gibson, Trent Grisham began the home run bonanza with a leadoff shot that landed on Eutaw Street beyond the right field wall. On the next pitch, Aaron Judge hit his ninth home run of the season, raising his batting average to .407. Designated hitter Ben Rice then followed Judge with a 378-foot home run over the right field wall; Rice later added another home run in the second inning, pushing […]
How impressive was the Golden State Warriors Game 4 win | Speak
How impressive was the Golden State Warriors Game 4 win | Speak | FOX Sports <!--> --> Video Details Paul Pierce reacts to the Golden State Warriors' gritty Game 4 win, highlighting Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green’s toughness and clutch play down the stretch. 1 MIN AGO・speak・1:11
Yankees open game with 3 straight HRs again, making MLB history
The New York Yankees hit Kyle Gibson so hard on Tuesday we might have to start debating about torpedo bats again.Facing the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, New York welcomed veteran starter Kyle Gibson back to the big leagues with three straight homers. Unlike Nestor last month, Gibson can at least say he didn't allow them on three straight pitches.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementInstead, he allowed them on five, to Trent Grisham, Aaron Judge and Ben Rice.Per MLB, it's the first time in league history a team has led off a game with three straight homers twice in one season. The Yankees accomplished that before the end of April.Paul Goldschmidt grounded out on the next at-bat to give Gibson some relief, but then Cody Bellinger came through with a fourth homer in five batters to make it 4-0. It was the second time this season […]
49ers add veteran D.J. Humphries to bring needed depth at offensive tackle
No, none of the San Francisco 49ers’ 17 incoming rookies play offensive tackle.But the team is bringing in a familiar veteran, D.J. Humphries, to compete for the swing tackle spot. The 31-year-old, who spent nine seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, has agreed to terms on a one-year deal, his agency announced on Tuesday. Tuesday was the first day teams could sign free agents without the addition counting against the compensatory draft pick formula in 2026. Back healthy and ready to work 😤 #AMDG pic.twitter.com/Q9YjMANO5X — AMDG Sports (@SportsAmdg) April 29, 2025The 49ers’ situation at tackle has been well-documented.Their left tackle, Trent Williams, hasn’t played a full season since 2013 and turns 37 in July. No one is certain how many more seasons he’ll play.Right tackle Colton McKivitz, meanwhile, is only signed through the upcoming season. The only other tackles on […]
Stephon Castle wins Rookie of the Year, joins elite Spurs company to win NBA award
Getty Images San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle has won the NBA's 2024-25 Rookie of the Year award, the league announced on Tuesday. Castle received 92 of the first-place votes. Zaccharie Risacher of the Atlanta Hawks earned five first-place votes and the Grizzlies' Jaylen Wells got the other three.Castle is now the second consecutive Spurs player to win Rookie of the Year, as Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, cruised to the trophy a year ago. Castle is now the fourth Spur overall to win the award, and it's a group of players anyone would want to join. Wembanyama is obviously headed for stardom, and the two other winners, David Robinson and Tim Duncan, both won MVP awards during their Hall of Fame careers. Unlike his three predecessors, though, Castle was not a No. 1 overall pick. He went No. […]
Related
Yankees achieve rare historical feat with back-to-back-to-back homer barrage
BALTIMORE — On the one-month anniversary of the club creating a firestorm around the league with their use of torpedo bats in a game in which they scored 20 runs against the Milwaukee Brewers, the New York Yankees celebrated by creating MLB history.The Yankees became the first team to hit three straight home runs to begin a game twice in the same season. On Tuesday, against Baltimore Orioles starter Kyle Gibson, Trent Grisham began the home run bonanza with a leadoff shot that landed on Eutaw Street beyond the right field wall. On the next pitch, Aaron Judge hit his ninth home run of the season, raising his batting average to .407. Designated hitter Ben Rice then followed Judge with a 378-foot home run over the right field wall; Rice later added another home run in the second inning, pushing […]
Yankees achieve rare historical feat with back-to-back-to-back homer barrage
BALTIMORE — On the one-month anniversary of the club creating a firestorm around the league with their use of torpedo bats in a game in which they scored 20 runs against the Milwaukee Brewers, the New York Yankees celebrated by creating MLB history.The Yankees became the first team to hit three straight home runs to begin a game twice in the same season. On Tuesday, against Baltimore Orioles starter Kyle Gibson, Trent Grisham began the home run bonanza with a leadoff shot that landed on Eutaw Street beyond the right field wall. On the next pitch, Aaron Judge hit his ninth home run of the season, raising his batting average to .407. Designated hitter Ben Rice then followed Judge with a 378-foot home run over the right field wall; Rice later added another home run in the second inning, pushing […]
How impressive was the Golden State Warriors Game 4 win | Speak
How impressive was the Golden State Warriors Game 4 win | Speak | FOX Sports <!--> --> Video Details Paul Pierce reacts to the Golden State Warriors' gritty Game 4 win, highlighting Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green’s toughness and clutch play down the stretch. 1 MIN AGO・speak・1:11
Yankees open game with 3 straight HRs again, making MLB history
The New York Yankees hit Kyle Gibson so hard on Tuesday we might have to start debating about torpedo bats again.Facing the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, New York welcomed veteran starter Kyle Gibson back to the big leagues with three straight homers. Unlike Nestor last month, Gibson can at least say he didn't allow them on three straight pitches.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementInstead, he allowed them on five, to Trent Grisham, Aaron Judge and Ben Rice.Per MLB, it's the first time in league history a team has led off a game with three straight homers twice in one season. The Yankees accomplished that before the end of April.Paul Goldschmidt grounded out on the next at-bat to give Gibson some relief, but then Cody Bellinger came through with a fourth homer in five batters to make it 4-0. It was the second time this season […]
49ers add veteran D.J. Humphries to bring needed depth at offensive tackle
No, none of the San Francisco 49ers’ 17 incoming rookies play offensive tackle.But the team is bringing in a familiar veteran, D.J. Humphries, to compete for the swing tackle spot. The 31-year-old, who spent nine seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, has agreed to terms on a one-year deal, his agency announced on Tuesday. Tuesday was the first day teams could sign free agents without the addition counting against the compensatory draft pick formula in 2026. Back healthy and ready to work 😤 #AMDG pic.twitter.com/Q9YjMANO5X — AMDG Sports (@SportsAmdg) April 29, 2025The 49ers’ situation at tackle has been well-documented.Their left tackle, Trent Williams, hasn’t played a full season since 2013 and turns 37 in July. No one is certain how many more seasons he’ll play.Right tackle Colton McKivitz, meanwhile, is only signed through the upcoming season. The only other tackles on […]
Stephon Castle wins Rookie of the Year, joins elite Spurs company to win NBA award
Getty Images San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle has won the NBA's 2024-25 Rookie of the Year award, the league announced on Tuesday. Castle received 92 of the first-place votes. Zaccharie Risacher of the Atlanta Hawks earned five first-place votes and the Grizzlies' Jaylen Wells got the other three.Castle is now the second consecutive Spurs player to win Rookie of the Year, as Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, cruised to the trophy a year ago. Castle is now the fourth Spur overall to win the award, and it's a group of players anyone would want to join. Wembanyama is obviously headed for stardom, and the two other winners, David Robinson and Tim Duncan, both won MVP awards during their Hall of Fame careers. Unlike his three predecessors, though, Castle was not a No. 1 overall pick. He went No. […]
Be the first to leave a comment