Despite an optimistic start to his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Diontae Johnson is struggling to remain relevant in the NFL. He is now on his fifth team in just 14 months, signing with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent. Details have now emerged about his new one-year contract, and it does not look good for Johnson.
Diontae Johnson’s Contract Has No Guaranteed Money
ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates reported that Johnson’s one-year contract with the Browns is the veteran’s minimum, and it contains no guaranteed money.
“Diontae Johnson’s 1-year contract with the Browns is for the veteran’s minimum of $1.17M and does not include any guaranteed money. A zero-risk deal for Cleveland, while Johnson will work to reestablish his value at still just 28 years old.”
Diontae Johnson's 1-year contract with the Browns is for the veteran's minimum of $1.17M and does not include any guaranteed money.
A zero-risk deal for Cleveland, while Johnson will work to reestablish his value at still just 28 years old.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates)
This represents a low-risk, high-upside move for the Browns. The Browns have Jerry Jeudy entrenched as the primary receiver, but the rest of the wide receiver spots are up for grabs. Elijah Moore had the second-highest receiving yards in the wide receiver room last season and left in free agency. None of the other wide receivers on the roster recorded more than 400 yards.
It might also be Johnson’s final chance in the NFL. Johnson was useful for the Steelers for five seasons, including a 1,161-receiving-yard season in 2021. He was traded by the Steelers to the Carolina Panthers in March last year, and it started a turbulent period for Johnson.
Johnson was traded once again seven months later, in October, despite leading the Panthers in receiving yards. He was sent to the Baltimore Ravens for a pair of late-round pick swaps. Baltimore, then, suspended him after Johnson refused to enter a regular-season game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He was then waived by the team.
The Houston Texans claimed him off waivers, and he would play two games for them, including in the AFC Wildcard round. However, he was waived after just three weeks.
Personal Conduct is an Issue for Johnson
Johnson often became visibly upset along the sidelines in games if he felt he was not getting enough targets. That led to his refusal to enter the game while in Baltimore, as he was upset at his reduced role. He was also visibly upset in the Texans’ Wild Card playoff win against the Los Angeles Chargers after getting only one target and catch in the game.
Johnson will be hoping things will be different next season, with a new start in a new home. However, his new contract means he has everything to lose if the same issues resurface. If the problems continue to plague his play, he might find himself out of the league.
