Cleveland Browns Fa: Grading The Signing Of Zion Johnson

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry had some key decisions to make regarding the guard position entering free agency.

A troublesome calf limited guard Wyatt Teller to just 13 games in 2025, and the Browns are allowing the veteran to test free agency after seven years in Cleveland.

While the Browns like guard Teven Jenkins enough to re-sign him, the fact that he has seen time at both guard spots and left tackle in five seasons in the league makes it feel more like he is slotted for a versatile backup role as opposed to starting.

Finally, veteran Joel Bitonio is still deciding if he wants to play another season or retire and start working on his Pro Football Hall of Fame speech.

Enter Zion Johnson, who signed with the Browns after spending four years with the Los Angeles Chargers. A former first-round selection, Johnson has made 65 starts, mostly at left guard, but can play on either side of the line.

With the first week of free agency drawing to a close, let’s take a look at some opinions on the decision to sign Johnson.

ESPN’s Seth Walder: C+

It’s no secret the Browns need offensive linemen. And on the first day of free agency, they landed Johnson, a 2022 first-round pick.

Johnson grew into a strong run blocker over the course of his rookie contract, a big reason he commanded this contract. That came through in the numbers. He recorded a run block win rate
in the 98th percentile last season, up from the 33rd percentile just a year ago.

So, given the run blocking and the fact that Johnson is in the prime of his career at age 26, what are the drawbacks? Pass protection — at least last season.

Johnson was in just the fifth percentile in pass block win rate last season, an alarming number that ought to give Cleveland pause. It will need Johnson to protect whichever quarterback it tries to develop next season, be it Shedeur Sanders or someone else. But the Chargers’ rotating left tackles after Rashawn Slater’s injury might have hurt Johnson’s numbers; his pass block win rate was better than average in 2024. But the low ranking is hard to ignore, and a reason I would have rather signed David Edwards on this contract instead.

Beacon Journal’s Chris Easterling: A-

The biggest free-agent signing of the first week for the Browns is a 26-year-old former first-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Chargers. Johnson brings mostly experience at left guard, although he played right guard as a rookie. More than just versatility, Johnson also brings durability, having played in all but two games over four years, while starting all but one of those games. Can’t complain too much about the signing, which was for $49.5 million over three seasons, with $32.39 million guaranteed.

Pro Football Focus: Below Average

A first-round draft pick in 2022, Johnson has yet to earn a 65.0-plus PFF overall grade for a season. He has been durable at least, logging 1,000 or more snaps in each of his first four years in the NFL. This contract is only a fraction above the PFF projection, but the Browns are paying the “former first-rounder tax” here, hoping that the 26-year-old still has room to develop.

The Athletic’s Daniel Popper: C

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 in 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. From Week 13 to Week 17 last year, Johnson played the best football of his career. He sat out Week 18 because the Chargers had already clinched a playoff spot. In a playoff loss to the Patriots, he reverted to some of his poor habits, particularly in pass protection. This is a sizable deal for a solid but inconsistent player. Starting-caliber offensive linemen get overpaid in free agency.

A to Z Sport’s Brandon Little: C+

The Browns are getting a former first-round pick out of Boston College who stands at 6-foot-3 and 316 pounds. Johnson is a strong run blocker and a very poor pass protector, so you’re getting a mixed bag with his ability. Johnson was second in the NFL in run block win rate during 2025 with 79.3 percent. 

On the flip side, Johnson ranked as the fifth-worst guard in pass block win rate at 87.4 percent. For a Browns team that struggled protecting the passer last season, the pass-blocking ability of Johnson is something you hoped was better. 

Johnson had just four penalties called on him in 2025, which is a strong number since he’s still a young player at 26 years old. Cleveland has Johnson under contract through the 2028 season, in what should be his prime. 

Good free agent offensive line options are scarce, and the Browns undoubtedly just signed one of the best available. The pass blocking ability is a real worry, but his ability to be a strong run blocker is needed with Quinton Judkins entering Year 2. It’s no secret that new head coach Todd Monken is going to want to pound the rock. 

So there is a sampling of what the national media has to say about the Browns signing Johnson. Now it is your turn – let us know what you think of Cleveland’s newest offensive lineman in the comments!