Diontae Johnson’s shot at redemption with the Cleveland Browns looks like it may come up short.
The Browns signed Johnson this offseason, giving the former Pro Bowl pass-catcher a shot on a veteran’s minimum deal with no guaranteed money. It put Johnson on a short leash after his tumultuous 2024 campaign.
Johnson started strong with the Panthers, posting 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games, highlighted by a 122-yard outing against the Raiders. Frustration with the offense led to a midseason trade to the Ravens, where he made just one catch and was suspended for refusing to enter a game.
After being waived and briefly landing with the Texans, Johnson finished the year with 33 receptions for 375 yards and three scores across 12 games.
“One bad year. It’s one year,” Johnson said during mandatory minicamp practice. “I had five great seasons in Pittsburgh. I had one year, that don’t define me as a player, none of that. My character or none of that.
“Everybody’s going to say what they want to say about me, but I know who I am as a person deep down and that’s all that matters to me.”
Johnson has notched 424 catches for 4,738 yards and 28 touchdowns over his six-year career.
Jackson: Diontae Johnson Outplayed in Camp
Johnson has had his moments during training camp but has failed to separate himself from the pack. The Browns are still establishing their depth at receiver behind Jerry Jeudy.
But younger players like Jamari Thrash, Gage Larvadain, Kaden Davis, and newly signed pass-catcher Isaiah Bond are firmly in the mix for roster spots.
Zac Jackson of The Athletic has Johnson on the “wrong side of the bubble” with cut-down day approaching.
“Johnson has been outplayed in camp. Even though his role would be different than Bond’s, that addition doesn’t help his chances, either,” Jackson said.
Isaiah Bond to See First Preseason Action With Browns
Bond was a polarizing name during the draft process due to some off-field trouble. He was arrested in April after a woman alleged a non-consensual encounter. Some had Bond projected as a mid-round pick but he went undrafted as teams awaited the case’s outcome. After reviewing the evidence, a grand jury returned a no-bill — declining to indict — clearing the way for him to sign immediately with any team as an undrafted free agent.
The Browns inked Bond to a three-year deal worth a fully guaranteed $3.018 million, per cleveland.com. The years and salary acknowledge that the Browns view him more as a draft pick rather than a typical undrafted free agent signing, making him a roster lock.
After just a few days of practice with the Browns, Bond is expected to suit up for the team’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
“I think mentally he’s very, very sharp and we knew that. So, he picked up everything very quickly. Now he’s not going to play a game on Saturday,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “But I do think it’s appropriate, safe, all those things. I think he’s ready to play a little bit on Saturday.”
The Browns kick off their regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7.
