Browns Sign OG Zion Johnson to Lucrative Deal

Top OL evaluator Brandon Thorn gives positive review of new Cleveland guard

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Cleveland Browns have signed offensive guard Zion Johnson to a 3-year, $49.5 million contract. Johnson, a former first-round pick, is seen as a durable, young, high-character player who has shown more consistent flashes of putting his traits and technique together late last season, according to top offensive line evaluator Brandon Thorn.

Why it matters

The Browns are replacing long-time veteran offensive linemen Wyatt Teller and likely Joel Bitonio, so Johnson's signing is a key move to shore up their offensive line. While the contract may seem high, Johnson's youth, durability, and potential upside make him an important investment for the Browns as they look to build a strong offensive front.

The details

Johnson, 26, has played in almost every game of his NFL career so far, making him a reliable option for the Browns. Offensive linemen tend to age slowly in the league, so the team is betting on Johnson's continued development and ability to live up to the lucrative contract.

  • The Browns signed Johnson to a 3-year deal on March 10, 2026.

The players

Zion Johnson

A 26-year-old offensive guard who was a former first-round draft pick and is seen as a durable, young, high-character player with upside.

Brandon Thorn

A prominent offensive line evaluator and writer for the Trench Warfare substack.

Wyatt Teller

A long-time veteran offensive lineman for the Browns who is being replaced by Johnson.

Joel Bitonio

A long-time veteran offensive lineman for the Browns who is likely being replaced by Johnson.

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What they’re saying

“Durable, young, high-character player who began showing more consistent flashes of putting his traits and technique together late last season.”

— Brandon Thorn, Offensive Line Evaluator (Trench Warfare)

What’s next

The Browns will look for Johnson to solidify their offensive line and build chemistry with the rest of the unit during the upcoming offseason program and training camp.

The takeaway

The Browns are making a significant investment in Zion Johnson to help rebuild their offensive line, betting on his youth, durability, and potential upside despite the high price tag. If Johnson can live up to the hype, it could pay major dividends for the Browns' offense in the coming seasons.