While the Cleveland Browns are focused on the quarterback room this offseason, the wideout situation is still pressing.
To hopefully help out the offense this year, the Browns brought in six-year veteran Diontae Johnson, who spent 2024 with three different teams.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski discussed Johnson's past and what the team expects from him this season.
“Diontae [Johnson]’s a veteran that’s played at a high level. We’ll see as he gets involved more. These OTAs will be really good for him because this system is new for him,” Stefanski said. “But I’m excited about the skillset and he’s got to obviously prove it to us and he’s excited to do that.”
Johnson joins a receiver room with questions ahead of next season. Jerry Jeudy will be the No. 1 option at wideout for whoever is playing quarterback, but the rest of the lineup behind him is up in the air. Cedric Tillman, Jamari Thrash, DeAndre Carter and David Bell will all be in the mix.
The Browns signed Johnson to a one-year $1.17 million deal which is the veteran minumum, and he's not guaranteed a roster spot. Given his track record in 2024, where he played seven games for Carolina, four games for Baltimore and one game in Houston, the Browns won't tolerate any shenanigans from Johnson.
Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot said he'll need to prove he can behave and play.
“He’ll come in behind the eight-ball, needing to prove himself and show the Browns that he can put his head down, work hard, and mostly keep his mouth shut, which hasn’t been his forte,” Cabot said. “If Johnson gripes about his role, his targets compared to (Jerry) Jeudy and (Cedric) Tillman, or which quarterback should be starting over the other, he’ll find himself saying goodbye to his fifth team in just over a year, and possibly to his NFL career.”