The Cleveland Browns continue to reinforce the offensive line, building from the inside out with their first major signing in 2026 free agency coming at the guard position.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Browns have inked Zion Johnson to a deal worth upwards of $50 million to replace four-time Pro Bowler Wyatt Teller, who will not be back with the team in 2026.
“Former Chargers G Zion Johnson reached agreement today on a three-year, $49.5 million deal including $32.4 million guaranteed with the Cleveland Browns, per his agents Alan Herman and Jared Fox,” Schefter posted to X.
Zion Johnson Elite Run Blocker Who Struggled Mightily Against Pass Rush Last Season
GettyFormer Los Angeles Chargers offensive guard Zion Johnson.
Johnson has been a durable lineman across four NFL seasons after coming off the board in the 2022 draft as a first-round pick (No. 17 overall out of Boston College). He has appeared in 66 of a possible 68 games for the Los Angeles Chargers, starting 65 of those contests.
Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN reported some more in-depth information on Johnson following the signing, including that he was second in the league last year in run block win rate among all offensive guards. He was also one of the most disciplined linemen in the game last season at any position, incurring just three penalties all campaign long.
The downside of Johnson is his pass blocking. Oyefusi quoted Kris Rhim of ESPN on that area of the guard’s game.
“[Johnson] struggled in pass blocking, often looking lost on defensive line stunts,” Rhim noted. “He ranked as the fifth-worst guard in pass block win rate (87.4%) and played a role in quarterback Justin Herbert being the league’s most pressured and hit quarterback.”
That flaw is perhaps why the Chargers passed on Johnson’s fifth-year team option last spring, which would have kept him in L.A. for at least the 2027 campaign, and then let him pursue other employment opportunities in 2026 and beyond.
Joel Bitonio’s Future With Browns Remains in Question Ahead of Wednesday Deadline
GettyOffensive guard Joel Bitonio of the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns have now locked in at least two spots along the offensive line, which could see five new starters this September as compared to Week 1 of last year.
Cleveland also traded a fifth-round pick to the Houston Texans for offensive tackle Tytus Howard earlier this offseason before inking him to a two-year extension worth $45 million that keeps him under contract through 2028.
The Browns were potentially in the mix for center Tyler Linderabuam, though he signed a monster deal to join the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday and is now off the board. Cleveland will be able to insert Dawand Jones back into the starting lineup, potentially at tackle but also perhaps as a guard, once he returns healthy from a knee surgery.
Johnson’s signing potentially brings the future of Joel Bitonio into question. Another multi-time Pro Bowl offensive guard, Bitonio and the Browns have until Wednesday to reach an extension agreement before his contract void date.
Bitonio could also retire or end up playing for a different organization next season for the first time in his professional career.
Browns Swing Big in Free Agency With Wyatt Teller’s $50 Million Replacement