Diontae Johnson‘s efforts to find a stable NFL home will likely not include time with the Browns. The veteran wideout is being released today, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero report.
The wide receiver’s tumultuous 2024 included a bevy of transactions and multiple aims to be traded during that transaction whirlwind — one that crushed his free agency value. Johnson was traded twice and cut twice last year, leading to a veteran-minimum Browns deal. Failing to make Cleveland’s 53-man roster represents another blow to a player who entered last season as a career-long starter.
No other team made Johnson an offer this offseason; the Browns will not take on any dead money from this release as a result of the vet-minimum deal including no guarantees. The team did not add any other veteran receivers of note, but it will still move on from a former 1,000-yard player who had excelled for the Steelers over an extended stretch.
The Steelers and Panthers traded Johnson last year; he had grown unhappy with both situations. But Johnson then drew a team-imposed suspension in Baltimore, having refused to reenter a late-season game with the Ravens — who did not give the effective route runner a regular role. Johnson then grew unhappy with his Texans role, following a subsequent waiver claim. The Ravens then claimed him again for procedural purposes, wrapping a transaction-crazed (but largely inconsequential, productivity-wise) year for the six-year veteran.
Cleveland has Cedric Tillman positioned as Jerry Jeudy‘s top complementary option, with 2024 fifth-rounder Jamari Thrash in the mix as well. The Browns also changed their receiver situation this month, signing Texas product Isaiah Bond after the rookie was not indicted on sexual assault charges. Johnson, 29, will pass straight to free agency as a vested veteran.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Ah. There it is.
How can all these franchises keep doing this to a generational talent like Diontae?! They can’t keep getting away with this!
Im old enough to remember when he refused to enter a game.
Now the game is refusing him.
Damn…. oh how the not so mighty has slipped again.
Steelers best option and that’s not even a joke.
That’s a joke
It’s not. Who’s better gabe davis? Lol laughable.
Gabe Davis? Is he better than DK?
No one said that. Best option as to available players… Not best option as to current players on their roster.
Well, it was worth taking a flyer on him. It didn’t pan out. Move on. I like Larvadain, Thrash, Bond, even David Bell when healthy more, anyway.
David Bell is injured and probably a camp casualty
I agree but would still prefer him over Johnson.
Finally! Been waiting for this…looks like UDFA WR Gage Larvadain makes the team!
If I had to guess, I would expect the Browns to sign him.
Can’t imagine how much $$$ he’s lost in the last year
It has been reported $10million