CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In what some viewed as a last chance for Diontae Johnson to salvage his career, the seventh-year Pro Bowler was released by the Browns on Tuesday, roster cutdown day.
The Browns had signed Johnson to one-year deal in April worth the veteran minimum of $1.17 million, giving him another chance to revive his career after four teams gave up on him last season alone.
A third-round pick of the Steelers in 2019 out of Toledo, Johnson showed off his excellent route running in training camp, but was inconsistent in catching the ball during practice. Free to sign with any team, Johnson will have to hope that a fifth team since last season will give him another chance. There’s also a chance he can land back here on the practice squad and try to work his way back up to the roster.
In many of his stops, Johnson expressed frustration over not getting the ball enough, and became a distraction.
In Cleveland, he made the mistake of not attending the voluntary offseason program, when much of the new offense was being installed. Therefore, he wasn’t as up to speed and consistent as he should’ve been when during mandatory minicamp in June and the early part of camp.
Johnson’s fate here was probably sealed on Aug. 17 when the Browns signed undrafted rookie receiver Isaiah Bond out of Texas, just after his sexual assault charge was dropped. Bond came in and acclimated quickly to the offense, and got nine snaps during Saturday’s 19-17 victory over the Rams.
With Johnson gone, the receiver room will probably look like this: Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, Jamari Thrash, Isaiah Bond, Gage Larvadain and Deandre Carter, who doubles as a returner. First-year receiver Kaden Davis could be headed for the practice squad if he doesn’t make the roster.
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