CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns have inked a deal with wide receiver Diontae Johnson, locking in the veteran playmaker on a one-year contract. Announced on April 28, 2025, the move comes after a bizarre 2024 season that saw Johnson bounce around, leaving fans and analysts scratching their heads. This signing plugs a gaping hole in the Browns’ receiving corps, and it’s a calculated grab for a team desperate to steady the ship.
Johnson, a third-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019, brings a resume that pops. He racked up 391 catches, 4,363 yards, and 25 touchdowns during his Steelers tenure. His 2021 season was a high point, earning a Pro Bowl nod with a career-best 1,161 yards and eight scores—numbers that shone even brighter in Ben Roethlisberger’s final year under center. At 29, he’s no rookie, but his quick cuts and reliable hands make him a weapon defenses can’t sleep on.
Last year, though, was a mess. Johnson’s 2024 started with the Steelers but spiraled into a strange odyssey—traded to the Carolina Panthers, then flipped to the Baltimore Ravens midseason. By the end, he was a free agent, his stock wobbling after a year of inconsistent snaps and locker-room whispers. The Browns, unfazed, saw a chance to pounce. Their receiving room needed a jolt; Jerry Jeudy, their lone Pro Bowl wideout, is the only guy on the roster with a 50-catch season. Elijah Moore, who hauled in 538 yards last year, is still unsigned, leaving Cleveland thin.
The contract’s details are lean but deliberate. A one-year tender worth $3.428 million keeps Johnson exclusive to the Browns—no shopping around. If he doesn’t sign long-term, he’s theirs for 2025 anyway. It’s a low-risk bet for a team that whiffed on drafting a receiver in last week’s draft. Cleveland’s front office, tight-lipped as ever, let the announcement speak for itself.
Johnson’s arrival isn’t just about stats. It’s about grit, a player who’s clawed through a chaotic year and landed in a city that thrives on underdog stories. The Browns, coming off a 2024 campaign that left fans grumbling, are banking on his experience to spark something. Whether he’s the missing piece or just a stopgap, one thing’s clear: Cleveland’s offense just got a little more dangerous.
The deal was finalized on April 28, 2025. Johnson’s career stats with Pittsburgh include 391 receptions, 4,363 yards, and 25 touchdowns. The tender’s value is $3.428 million. Jeudy remains the only Browns receiver with a 50-catch season. Moore’s 538 yards ranked second on the team in 2024.