Browns Sign Offensive Guard Zion Johnson to Sizable Deal

Analysts criticize the Browns for overpaying an "inconsistent" player

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Cleveland Browns have signed former Los Angeles Chargers offensive guard Zion Johnson to a three-year, $49.5 million contract. However, some analysts have criticized the deal, with one calling Johnson a "solid but inconsistent player" who was overpaid. The Browns are hoping Johnson can bolster their offensive line, but there are concerns about his pass blocking abilities.

Why it matters

The Browns are looking to improve their offensive line after a disappointing 2022 season. The signing of Johnson is a key move, but some experts believe the team may have overpaid for a player who has shown inconsistency in his play. This signing could have long-term implications for the Browns' offensive line and their ability to protect their quarterback.

The details

The Browns agreed to the three-year, $49.5 million deal with Johnson, who was a first-round pick by the Chargers in 2022. Johnson had a mixed season in 2022, showing flashes of strong play but also struggling at times, particularly in pass protection. NFL analyst Daniel Popper of The Athletic gave the signing a "C" grade, saying it's "a lot of money for an inconsistent player." Another analyst, Kris Rhim of ESPN, noted that Johnson "struggled in pass blocking, often looking lost on defensive line stunts." However, Johnson was a strong run blocker and played 100% of the Chargers' snaps last season, except for Week 18 when the team rested starters.

  • The NFL free agent tampering window opened, and the Browns agreed to the deal with Johnson on March 10, 2026.
  • In the 2022 NFL Draft, the Chargers selected Johnson with the 17th overall pick.

The players

Zion Johnson

A former first-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022 who has signed a three-year, $49.5 million contract with the Cleveland Browns.

Joel Bitonio

A seven-time Pro Bowl offensive guard who has spent his entire career with the Cleveland Browns. The team is hopeful he will return, but he has considered retirement or signing elsewhere.

Todd Monken

The new head coach of the Cleveland Browns, who has spoken with Bitonio and wants him to return to the team.

Daniel Popper

An NFL analyst for The Athletic who gave the Browns' signing of Zion Johnson a "C" grade, calling him a "solid but inconsistent player" who was overpaid.

Kris Rhim

An ESPN analyst who noted that Zion Johnson "struggled in pass blocking, often looking lost on defensive line stunts" during the 2022 season.

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What they’re saying

“Johnson had a robust market in free agency because of his age, athleticism and durability. He has flaws as a player, most notably his awareness identifying stunts and blitzes in front of his face. But he is a well-above-average run blocker with scheme versatility, power and movement skills.”

— Daniel Popper, NFL Analyst, The Athletic (The Athletic)

“[Johnson] struggled in pass blocking, often looking lost on defensive line stunts. 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.”

— Kris Rhim, NFL Analyst, ESPN (ESPN)

“He came up to the office a few weeks ago and we tried to talk him into it right then. But he was not in that position yet to say he wanted to come back.”

— Todd Monken, Head Coach, Cleveland Browns (Cleveland Browns)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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